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The NJE: Afloat
ByJimi Hendrix
guitar, electric1942 - 1970

Terry Edwards
saxophoneb.1960

Tom Waits
piano and vocalsb.1949
The NJE trio tackles Hendrix's "Voodoo Child" with aplomb on their Afloat album. The main riff sounds obviously familiar, but Edwards takes it to a more cosmic place yet. Mimicking the guitarist's frenzied notes and melodic fills, it's a mischievous tribute wherein The NJE plays The JHE.
Joining brass supremo Edwards are bassist
Mark Bedford
bassThe opener "St Leonards' Suite" begins with electronica and beguiling cymbals, before Edwards employs his double-saxophone technique. Short stabs of melody burst out like jets of flame, then just as quickly subside. It makes for ten minutes of warm intrigue, followed by "Diamonds For Breakfast," which cuts in with staccato blowing as Bedford's bass bobs cautiously.
There's hardly a breath before "Songo" offers a swirling melody that's as much pop as bop. The title track smoulders with a smoky lilt, its piano chords rippling like waves at low tide. Then the snaky snares of "Bongo Cut-Ups" underpin a "saxy" series of low licks and high squeals, as if testing the range of our senses.
Mostly devoid of overdubs, Afloat allows all three players room for expression. With much historical precedence herefrom

Sonny Rollins
saxophoneb.1930

Joe Henderson
saxophone1937 - 2001

Joshua Redman
saxophoneb.1969
On a record with several apt titles, the abrasive "Knife-Edge" gives a streetwise punch in the mode of

Led Bib
band / ensemble / orchestrab.2003
Appropriately for Edwards, who first dug jazz via a cool-looking

Earl Bostic
saxophone, alto1913 - 1965
For a band who claim they never rehearse, but perform by intuition, The NJE offers a seductive fusion of artistry and impulse. ">
Track Listing
St Leonards' Suite; Diamonds For Breakfast; Songo; Afloat; Bongo Cut-Ups; St Mary's Suite; Beachcomber; Voodoo Child; Acoustic Pt. 1&2; Knife Edge; We Three Kings.
Personnel
Terry Edwards
saxophoneTerry Edwards: Saxophone; Mark Bedford: Bass; Simon Chatterton: Drums.
Album information
Title: Afloat | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Sartorial Records
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