Martin Archer: Anthropology Band
Author: Andy Robson
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Charlotte Keefe (t, flhn) |
Label: |
Discus |
Magazine Review Date: |
February/2020 |
Media Format: |
2CD |
Catalogue Number: |
90CD |
RecordDate: |
September 2018 and April 2019 |
A nothing if not ambitious project in which Archer’s compositions are played through by a septet, then re-visited by a brass and wind ensemble. Moreover, Archer starts from an intriguing position, evoking the atmospherics of In a Silent Way and, to a degree, Bitches Brew. And if that weren’t layering enough, the ensemble addresses the question, ‘What if Gil Evans had arranged electric-era Miles?’. So, the ensemble version of The Dancer and the Spark’employs spiky brass punctuations yet remains open spaced, suggesting more than it demands. Charlotte Keefe deserves a special mention. She not only does a splendid Miles, especially on ‘Give Me Back Some Truth’, but she also finds her own voice amid the echoes of 50 years ago that Archer is so keen to evoke. For good measure, Keefe co-arranged the ensemble pieces where the chamber-like use of flutes and bass clarinet contrast with the more electronic, guitar and keys-driven first album. Whatever your views on the concept, all credit to Archer, Keefe and this band of young lions (Mwamba not the least) for setting themselves such a Herculean (Milesian) task.

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