Sean Khan Presents the Modern Jazz and Folk Ensemble: Volume 1

Editor's Choice

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Mirko Scarcia (b)
Laurie Lowe
Gerry Diver (vn)
Andy Noble (p, ky)
Rachel Robson (vla)
Sean Khan (ss, fl)
Max Baillie (vn)
Miya Vaisanen (vn)
Danny Keane (clo)
Dave Pegg (b)
Rosie Frater-Taylor (v)
Kindelan (v)
Jacqui McShee (v)

Label:

Acid Jazz Records

July/2024

Media Format:

CD, LP, DL

Catalogue Number:

AJXCD/LP774

RecordDate:

Rec. date not stated

Jazz and folk have always danced together, and Khan celebrates that alliance with a special focus on great singer-songwriters of the late 1960s and 70s. Two Nick Drake songs are covered, ‘Parasite’ and ‘Things Behind the Sun’, both from 1972’s seminal Pink Moon, and two are celebrations of the troubled troubadour, John Martyn’s darkly insightful ‘Solid Air’ and Khan’s own ‘Ode to Nick Drake’, with none other than Dave Pegg guesting.

Frater-Taylor’s take on 'zoleedaire' as Martyn slurred it, is excellent. Sung in a deeper register than she usually employs, she brings her own fragility to the song, while Khan’s sax nods to but never attempts to replicate Tony Coe. The joyful heart of the release is hearing Jacqui McShee on ‘Light Flight’ and ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ done in a swinging Miles modal frame. Pentangle, taking up Davey Graham’s torch, were of course the doyens of folk/jazz royalty and to hear McShee (who like Danny Thompson is still on the scene) alongside new voices such as Kindelan is an utter pleasure.

Let’s not be maudlin, asking ‘Who Knows Where the Time Goes?’ (covered by Khan in Coltrane ‘My Favourite Things’ mode) but celebrate instead that the time is now, the music is now, and very good it is too.

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