BANN

“As You Like”

(Jazz Eyes 010)

BANN is something of a jazz supergroup, the band name being taken from the initials of the surnames of the four musicians involved. Seamus Blake (saxophones), Jay Anderson (bass), Oz Noy (guitar) and Adam Nussbaum (drums) are all well known and respected figures on the international jazz scene. As BANN they have appeared at jazz festivals all over Europe and this album on the Sicilian “Jazz Eyes” label represents their début studio recording. The album was recorded in New York and whilst the musicianship is of the high standard one would expect from such illustrious names I can’t find myself particularly warming to the record. The music has a slick, fusion tinged, unmistakably American feel and with almost half the programme featuring compositions from outside the group one gets the impression that BANN aren’t pushing themselves too hard.

The album commences with a substantial re-imagining of Jerome Kern’s “All The Things You Are”. The hoariest old standard of them all is given a fusionesque sheen courtesy of Noy’s heavily looped and treated guitar. Blake probes deeply with his tenor solo as Anderson and Nussbaum gravitate busily around him. Israeli born guitarist Noy then takes over bringing an almost rock feel to the old song. It’s certainly a radical re-working, yet in some ways not radical enough.

The group adopt a similarly gritty approach on Thelonious Monk’s “Played Twice” with Blake leading things off as all four members feature as soloists. It’s the classic head/solos/head approach but given a contemporary feel courtesy of Noy’s heavily distorted guitar.

The David Crosby tune “Guinnevere” is an unusual choice growing out from an atmospheric opening featuring looped guitar, shimmering cymbals and long saxophone lines. It’s Blake’s delightfully controlled tenor performance, mainly in the upper registers of the instrument, that takes the honours here. Noy’s effects are much better judged here, adding greatly to the drifting ambience and the support from Anderson and Nussbaum is suitably sympathetic.

Anderson’s relatively brief, bop inspired “Will Call” is an invigorating guitar/tenor duel with Blake and Noy’s grappling, intertwining lines receiving appropriately energetic support from bass and drums. The piece incorporates an effervescent solo feature from the powerful Nussbaum. 

By way of contrast “Days Of Old”, credited to Adam & Maria Nussbaum is unexpectedly tender and atmospheric. It opens with the sound of Anderson’s unaccompanied double bass and features Noy on acoustic guitar. Blake, now acknowledged as one of the world’s leading contemporary saxophonists gives a typically assured ballad performance and Nussbaum’s delicate brushwork is a delight.

The title track is credited to the entire group and is a powerful funk tinged workout that takes them into jam band territory. Blake leads the solos off, wailing fluently above Noy’s chunky, choppy guitar rhythms. Noy makes extensive use of his wah wah pedal in a typically rock influenced solo.

Anderson’s contribution with the pen is “At Sundown” which brings a Frisell like country/blues twang to the music courtesy of Noy’s slide guitar. This is totally unexpected and a welcome change from Noy’s default guitar sound. For me this is his most enjoyable playing of the set. Composer Anderson weighs in with a fluent, well articulated solo on the bass.

Noy’s “Minor Shuffle” pretty much does what it says on the tin and is a good natured, down home blowing vehicle with a jaunty tune and a strong element of funk. Noy’s fluent solo borrows from the blues in a manner reminiscent of John Scofield. Blake’s solo is well measured and logical, smoothly moving up through the gears.

To close the quartet give Joe Henderson’s classic “Isotope” the funk fusion treatment with a muscular solo from Blake over Anderson and Nussbaum’s powerful back-beat and Noy’s guitar washes-at times he simulates the chording of a Hammond organ. The guitarist’s own solo sees him unleashing his full arsenal of effects and there’s something of a feature for Nussbaum at the drums.

I don’t mean to imply that “As You Like” is a bad album, the standard of the musicianship is far too high for that. I’ll admit that I’m not particularly enamoured with Noy’s guitar sound but for me the real sticking point is the nagging feeling that guys of this calibre can knock off an album like this pretty much while standing on their heads. The most successful numbers are often the slower pieces such as “Guinnevere” and “Days Of Old”, where a greater degree of thought has gone into the performances.  Personally I find Nussbaum’s Anglo/American project, The Impossible Gentlemen, with pianist Gwilym Simcock, guitarist Mike Walker and bassist Steve Swallow much more interesting.

Perhaps I’m doing BANN a disservice. “As You Like” certainly doesn’t come with any pretensions and I can envisage them being an exciting live act on the European festival circuit, probably their natural habitat. But I can’t escape the conclusion that this stellar line up is capable of a better record than this. 

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