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Sam Norris: Small Things Evolved Slowly
BySam Norris
saxophoneb.1998

Norris is an alto saxophonist, composer and leader of the Sam Norris Quartet. They can frequently be found on the London jazz circuit. He is also involved in multiple UK and European projects. Outside of jazz, Norris' influences extend to hip-hop, folk and classical music; this gives his compositions some unusual twists and adds exploratory flair to his improvisational approach. The quartet consists of pianist

Jay Verma
pianoWill Sach
bass, acoustic
Jonny Mansfield
vibraphoneb.1996
Harry Ling
drumsMackwood
drumsThe album opens with "The Fulcrum." Norris' insistent sax motif gradually uncoils into searching improvisation over Ling's bustling groove. Verma's piano solo takes the same path before completing the circle back to the sax motif. The distinctive tone of Norris' unaccompanied alto opens "The Bright Winding Path," and bass and piano shadow his introspective mood in this dedication to Canadian painter Matthew Wong. "Glacial" also opens with an unaccompanied, breathy alto. As would be expected from the track title, the pace is slow. Sach's bass comes to the fore before Verma moves into a delightful solo. The track has a vintage atmosphere, with Norris showing delicacy and poise.
The fast-moving "Azazello" brings a contrast with inventive flurries and combinations from Sach and Ling. Verma and Norris swop spiky surges. The standout track is the perfectly titled "Un-ravel." Introduced by Verma's charming solo piano, the tune has an unruly shape, neatly mapped by Sach and Ling, with bright and inventive piano and sax solos. Verma's bluesy piano is the highlight of "Dark Satellites." Norris brings an insistent sax ostinato and Ling is in top form. Melancholy sax phrases open "Lamentation" before moving through Sach's bass solo and searching solos from Norris and Verma.
Another Satie quote states that "The musician is perhaps the most modest of animals, but he is also the proudest." Norris can be justifiably proud of his debut release, it showcases his compositional strengths, playing technique and improvisational elegance. He also knows when to stay in the background and let the ensemble add value. Their combined chamber music approach, imaginative grooves, and harmonic invention have woven a captivating musical landscape and built a solid foundation for future directions. ">
Track Listing
The Fulcrum; The Bright Winding Path; Glacial; Azazello; Chorale; Un-ravel; Dark Satellites; Lamentation.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Small Things Evolved Slowly | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Resonant Postcards Collective
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