Neon Quartet

“Catch Me”

(Edition Records EDN 1024)

Neon was the name given by saxophonist and composer Stan Sulzmann to a trio that teamed the UK jazz veteran with two of the young rising stars of British jazz, pianist Gwilym Simcock and vibes/marimba player Jim Hart. Neon’s 2008 album “Here To There” (Basho Records) was a surprisingly lively and occasionally humorous affair that transcended the perceived limitations of “chamber jazz” with some sparkling and unexpectedly full blooded playing. The album is reviewed elsewhere on this site and like its successor is highly recommended.

Given the nature of the playing on “Here To There” it is perhaps not surprising that following the departure of the increasingly busy Simcock Sulzmann has chosen to restructure the group as a quartet with the addition of drummer Tim Giles. Hart remains from the previous recording and Simcock’s place is taken by another piano “wunderkind”, the twenty three year old Kit Downes. Like his predecessor Downes is also phenomenally busy leading his own Mercury Music Prize nominated piano trio and playing organ in the bands Troyka and The Golden Age Of Steam, the latter also featuring Tim Giles. All of Downes projects are very different from each other and Neon Quartet reflects yet another aspect of his remarkable versatility.

Whereas the Neon Trio was very much Sulzmann’s baby the Quartet is a more democratic unit with the composing credits spread more equally among the members of the band. Of the ten pieces in an all original programme four come from the pen of Sulzmann with Downes and Hart contributing three each.

The music on “Catch Me” is even more richly textured than that of its predecessor beginning with Sulzmann’s beautiful title track which combines feathery saxophone, shimmering vibes and similarly atmospheric and sympathetic piano and percussion. There’s a lovely duet between Hart and Downes before the music segues into the relatively more straight-ahead “Leaving Day”, also from the pen of Sulzmann. Here Sulzmann’s gorgeous tone is heard to it’s best effect in a lengthy solo and there’s also wonderfully lyrical piano from Downes, delightfully detailed embellishment from Hart and intelligent, sensitive drumming from Giles.

Hart’s “Cloak And Dagger” covers many bases from its edgy opening for piano and drums via tightly knit ensemble passages to the aching lyricism of Sulzmann’s tenor solo. There’s also an expansive solo for the composer, gliding above Downes’ dense piano chording and the chatter of Giles’ drums.

Downes’ “Villiers” opens with lyrical unaccompanied tenor saxophone before giving way to a gentle dialogue between vibes and drums. Sulzmann’s tenor solo is beautifully melodic, a contrast to the busy piano and drums bubbling beneath the surface.

Sulzmann’s jaunty, folk inflected “Nepanees” begins with Giles’s unaccompanied hand drums before Sulzmann states the playful theme on soprano. Downes’ piano solo is subtly percussive as Giles chatters around him , creating a genuine dialogue. Later there’s a duet between Sulzmann and Hart. The writing on “Catch Me” is supremely imaginative with each composer consistently covering a broad stylistic range within the course of a single tune. The absence of bass seems to positively encourage this process and allows for imaginative dialogue between two or more instruments. The tightly woven ensemble passages on this album are excellent and contrast well with the many duo set pieces and the instances of more orthodox jazz soloing.

Hart’s tune “Passwords” is suitably slippery, sometimes appearing playful, at others exhibiting a slightly noirish feel. Sulzmann and Hart are positively puckish in their delightful solos with Downes underpinning the whole thing and Giles exhibiting a delectable lightness of touch with his pattering brushwork.

Also by Hart the rubato ballad “The Last Of The Leaves” originally appeared on “Narrada”, the 2009 release by Hart’s quartet Gemini (see review elsewhere on this site). The piece has a gorgeous melody, here sketched by Sulzmann with suitably sympathetic support from his younger colleagues. There are also lush, flowing solos from both Downes and Hart on this gentle masterpiece.

Downes’ tune “Bela Lugosi” featured recently in a performance at Dempsey’s in Cardiff by a quartet led by young tenor saxophonist George Crowley and featuring Downes and his regular trio partners Calum Gourlay (double bass) and James Maddren (drums). The piece has an abstract quirkiness and a slightly sinister feel as suggested by the title. It’s one of the freer, less structured items on the album and offers a good indication as to the breadth of Downes’ diverse influences.

Sulzmann’s final piece “Skookum” shows the Neon Quartet at their best. Highly melodic the piece builds in layers from the gentle piano introduction through more urgent, percussive passages mixing lyricism with rhythm to create a thoroughly satisfying whole that touches many bases but which flows from one idea to another in a totally unforced and organic manner.

Finally comes Downes’ “Torino” which features the quartet at their sunniest and most exuberant. Sulzmann features on lithe soprano and there’s delightful Corea/Burton style duet between Downes and Hart. It’s a delightful way to close this very good album.

“Catch Me” is a hugely impressive album that reveals Sulzmann to be as resolutely forward looking as ever. Surrounding himself with the cream of the UK’s young up and coming talent he remains at the cutting edge of British jazz. The interplay between the four musicians of the Neon Quartet is consistently interesting and technically brilliant. The blend of melody, rhythm and texture is totally absorbing and the recorded sound, courtesy of engineers Steve Lowe and Chris Lewis captures the nuances superbly.

There’s so much going on in this music that it’s not always possible for me to do it justice. At times the interlocking pattern reminded me of a leaner, less eclectic Claudia Quintet, which is praise indeed. The self effacing Stan Sulzmann is still criminally underrated in the UK, let’s hope this fine album helps to redress the balance and serves to introduce Sulzmann to fans of some of the younger guys on this record. 

November 2010 sees the Neon Quartet coming together for a short series of gigs including an appearance at London Jazz Festival. The dates are listed below; 

7th Nov - NEON QUARTET - The Ship, Sevenoaks
10th Nov - NEON QUARTET Jazz at the Field, Haslingden
12th Nov - NEON QUARTET Komedia, Brighton
20th Nov - NEON QUARTET - Barbican Foyer - 3pm - 4pm - LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL
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For more information please visit:
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Artist page: http://www.editionrecords.com/artists/neon-quartet/
Album page: http://www.editionrecords.com/releases/catch-me/
Gigs / Release Dates: http://www.editionrecords.com/gigs/neon-quartet/

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