Nigel Hitchcock: Smoothitch

Rating: ★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Laurence Cottle (eb)
Richard Cottle (kys)
Scott Firth (g)
James Mac (perc)
Miles Bould (perc)
Dave Milligan (p)
Chris Dagley (d)
Nigel Hitchcock (as, ss)

Label:

Smoothitch

May/2013

RecordDate:

date not stated

Pity the poor reviewer faced with an album like this. Titles are listed (most tracks credited to ‘Hitch’) as is the personnel as above, but precious little else. No clue as to recording date (although Dagley died in July 2010) and nothing about the content, just a two-page graphic in the booklet. A press release might have been handy too. No label ID or number, for that matter either. Shame, for Hitchcock is one of our music's most salutary talents and deserves better. Still, for what it's worth, what we have here is jazz funk, no more, no less. Hitchcock is the main voice heard on these often simplistic, repetitive themes, the occasional ballad interspersed, his alto tone suitably sanctified, with only the occasional flurries of notes to suggest any reserves of technique. The drumming is idiomatic, and there are occasional break-through moments by one or other of the pianists. Vocalist Beverley Craven guests on a single track, sounding soulful, with a back-up group in support. Not for me, I'm afraid; but others may differ.

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