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John Crawford: Times and Tides

By Mark Sullivan
October 28, 2016
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For his second album British pianist/composer

John Crawford

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">John Crawford continues his love of Latin American and Spanish flamenco music, while also incorporating fresh new influences. Crawford's opening original "Blurred" shares a Brazilian heritage with the cover of

Antonio Carlos Jobim

piano
1927 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Once I Loved" that follows it. Guitarist

Guillermo Hill

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Guillermo Hill makes an immediate impression on nylon-string guitar: he's an effective foil to Crawford's piano. The Jobim tune also features sultry vocalist

Linley Weir

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Linley Weir and saxophonist Duncan Lamont Snr.

"Solea por Brixton" (the solea is one of the most basic Flamenco forms) puts a spotlight on drummer

Simon Pearson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Simon Pearson and percussionist

Andres Ticino

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Andres Ticino. "Gabriel's Message" changes things up with a traditional Basque folk song, also a great percussion workout. "Nini" makes a Latin jazz tune out of Antonin Dvo?��k's "Slavonic Dance No. 2," with lyrics by featured vocalist

Eleonora Claps

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Eleonora Claps. Remarkable how well the tune fits this new rhythmic setting.

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny's "James" gets an exciting new arrangement, with Hill's guitar playing again a particular standout, as well as a contrapuntal guitar/piano duet. The final cover is an inspired choice: "Cono" by the great Malian singer

Salif Keita

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Salif Keita, from his debut album Soro (Mango, 1987). A beautiful tune, with an Afropop groove that fits right in with the Latin ones—and it also provides bassist

Richard Sadler

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Richard Sadler a great setting for a solo. Crawford's "Endgame" features one last guest, lyrical flugelhornist

Shanti Paul Jayasinha

arranger

" data-original-title="" title="">Shanti Paul Jayasinha.

A very fresh take on Latin jazz. Crawford's Quintet is a hot band, and the guest musicians each contribute something special without dominating the sound.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Blurred; Once I Loved; Solea por Brixton; Gabriel's Message; Nini; Miriam's Last Journey; James; Cono; Endgame.

Personnel

John Crawford

piano

John Crawford: piano; Guillermo Hill: guitar; Richard Sadler: bass; Simon Pearson: drums; Andres Ticino: percussion; Duncan Lamont Snr: saxophone (2); Shanti Paul Jayasinha: flugelhorn (9); Linley Weir: vocals (2); Eleonora Claps: vocals (5).

Album information

Title: Times and Tides | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Monpas Records

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