Entanglement
(33 Jazz 230)
Guitarist Ant Law takes inspiration from quantum physics for the title of his debut album – apparently when particles such as photons, electrons and molecules continue to instantaneously respond to their entangled counterparts even after separation it is called quantum entanglement.
So, a bit like modern jazz musicians, then. Certainly there is a good deal of instrumental entanglement on this album between Law, Michael Chillingworth on saxophones and bass clarinet, John Turville on piano, Tom Farmer on double bass and James Maddren on drums.
Law writes tricksy little tunes, full of the kind of pull and push in timing, and the hear and there of harmony and melodic direction that only the sharpest of young jazz players can make their way through. And this bunch do it with an unnerving effortless style.
There is a welcome amount of space in the arrangements and this helps to make sense of it all for the listener. Try Entanglement I for some gorgeous solos from Farmer and Turville, and some lovely brush work from Maddren. For Silver has a Methenyesque momentum when it isn’t pausing for some Law/Farmer duo interplay, while Laurvin Glaslowe moves at a pretty pace, with some neo-bop action from all involved.
Stract shows Law’s nuanced phrasing and has a particularly catchy melody, and A Bar In Nigeria has all the excitement of such a venue with little of the Afrobeat one might expect. The final track, Entanglement II, has some tasty bass clarinet from Chillingworth, in tandem with Farmer, before Law takes it away in a fresh direction and on to more glorious entanglement.
All in all this is a terrific and highly accomplished debut – and it has a strong and cohesive band feel to it, which shows Ant Law is not just a good musician, he’s a good band leader as well. It’s also very nicely recorded at Troy Miller’s studio.
There are two chances to catch the band in the West Midlands during their current tour. They are at The Spotted Dog next Tuesday (26 Feburary) and at The Yardbird on Thursday 14 March as part of the Beat City Jazz Festival.
For The Spotted Dog details go here and for the Beat City Jazz Festival go here.
Categories: CD review
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