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Jim Rattigan’s Pavillon: Strong Tea
ByPavillon, the French word from which Rattigan's band takes it names, means simply the bell of a wind instrument and specifically in this case, the French horn. Weighing-in at just south of 40 minutes the album was recorded by Rattigan as a 50th birthday present to himself.
Dave Whitford's resonant double bass heralds the opening of "Parkwood Fair" soon joined by Gene Calderzazzo drumming up a storm with Rattigan soloing lengthily on French horn punctuated by a fractured yet powerful ensemble and a bass ostinato figure. The piece culminates in a release of tension in the form of a joyous ensemble climax.
Andy Payani gives a resound tenor solo on the vibrant "Dulwich Park," swiftly followed by Percy Pursglove on rapid-fire flugelhorn. The excitement of the title track is ramped-up further by Steve Fishwick's boisterous trumpet solo
In "Won Over The Eight" Rattigan displays dexterity and imagination in a feisty solo raging over the whole ensemble. The swinging "24/7" is a lively closing number and benefits from a searching baritone saxophone solo by Mick Foster.
In some of the arpeggio-rich ensemble passages the compositions frequently bear a passing resemblance to those of that maestro of the big band Mike Westbrook, not without coincidence since Westbrook's proclivities have always lain with the employment of a wide and colourful range of orchestral textures, but particularly focussing on the brass. The five numbers, all composed by Rattigan, are performed by some of the finest jazz musicians working in Britain today and will most certainly appeal to any lovers of intelligent and original horn-heavy jazz.
Track Listing
Parkwood Fair; Dulwich Park; Strong Tea; Won Over The Eight; 24/7.
Personnel
Jim Rattigan: French horn; Martin Speake: alto saxophone; Andy Panayi: tenor saxophone; Mick Foster: baritone saxophone; Percy Pursglove: trumpet, flugelhorn; Steve Fishwick, Robbie Robson: trumpet; Jeremy Price: tenor trombone; Sarah Williams: bass trombone; Hans Koller: piano; Dave Whitford: double bass; Gene Calderazzo: drums.
Album information
Title: Strong Tea | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Pavillon Records
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