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Jasper H?iby: Fellow Creatures

By Roger Farbey
June 25, 2016
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Taking a break from his highly (and justifiably) praised trio Phronesis, virtuoso bassist

Jasper Hoiby

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jasper Hoiby described the rationale for Fellow Creatures thus: "it's been a dream of mine for a while to start a larger ensemble and to have the option of writing for two melody instruments as well as the trio."

H?iby also regards the album in three ways; first he wanted to tell a story with a whole album, establishing a relationship between the album and its listeners by enticing them to play it over and over again so that they became intimately familiar with the music. Secondly, the titles are inspired by author Naomi Klein's 2014 best-selling book "This Changes Everything," whose politically-charged environmental propositions are shared by H?iby. Finally the album is dedicated to H?iby's sister Janette who passed away earlier this year.

H?iby describes the music presented here as "less explosive" (than Phronesis), which it certainly is. From the start, the pastoral "Folk Song" is nearer the writing of

Jan Garbarek

saxophone
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Jan Garbarek with its delicate melody introduced by Polar Bear's

Mark Lockheart

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Mark Lockheart on tenor saxophone and rising British jazz star Laura Jurd, heard here on flugelhorn. By contrast, the ensuing title track gathers pace, with Jurd here producing some feisty trumpet runs interspersed by Lockheart's brazen tenor.

On "World Of Contradictions" the melody evinced by the two horns is played over Will Barry's deft piano line which dominates the piece. Again Barry is heard leading "Little Song For Mankind" over an inexorably building ensemble and the piece is enhanced by

Corrie Dick

drums
b.1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Corrie Dick's subtle drumming. "Song For The Bees" signals a heart- warming break from previous numbers with

Jasper Hoiby

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jasper Hoiby's pizzicato bass vamp evincing an almost Calypso-like rhythm.

Corrie Dick

drums
b.1990

" data-original-title="" title="">Corrie Dick's drums create a vital backdrop to the hypnotic "Tangible" whereas the shorter "Collective Spaces," led by the twin horns, is imbued by a contrapuntal pre-electric

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman feel.

The tranquil "Suddenly, Everyone" affords ample soloing opportunities for Lockheart, Jurd and H?iby, whereas "Before" beginning with a staccato riff, is a lithe double bass and tenor sax duet breaking down into a more regular rhythmic pattern courtesy of H?iby's obligato bass line over which Lockheart solos before both instruments erratically take up the riff once more, slowing to a conclusion.

The final track "Plastic Island," beginning with laughing and growling voices, is the most strident of all the numbers, an ensemble riff played over a contrasting piano melody and insistent rhythm.

Jasper Hoiby

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Jasper Hoiby's wistful yet vibrant compositions are uniformly irresistible and with excellent performances all round, this seductively addictive album is going to yield frequent and satisfying plays. So, measured by that criterion, H?iby's intentions have been most definitely realised.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Folk Song; Fellow Creatures; World Of Contradictions; Little Song For Mankind; Song For The Bees; Tangible; Collective Spaces; Suddenly Everyone; Before; Plastic Island.

Personnel

Jasper Hoiby

bass, acoustic

Jasper H?iby: double bass; Mark Lockheart: tenor saxophone; Laura Jurd: trumpet, flugelhorn; Will Barry: piano; Corrie Dick: drums.

Album information

Title: Fellow Creatures | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Edition Records

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