Who says that labels don’t have their own personality anymore? England’s Edition Records boasts a catalogue of clever and experimental sounds that still keeps a foot on swing with the other foot walking forward. Here are their two latest releases.
Bassist Misha Mullov-Abbado forms a quintet with Matthew Herd/as, Tom Green/tb, Jacob Collier/p and Scott Chapman/dr through a rich mixture of melodious and adventurous tunes. Herd’s warm alto and Green’s lithe horn create a rich mix on the lovely and yet meditative groove on “Circle Song” and show rich yet lyrical assertiveness on “Lock, Stock and Shuffle.” Collier’s piano is gracious on “Just Another Love Song” and the leader’s bass bops on the snappy read of the EW&F’s “September.” The band gets a bit outside and experimental but never too far out of reach on “Satan, Oscilalte My Metallic Sonatas” with Nick Goodwin’s guitar added, but with Herd’s shrieking alto, almost combust on the chaotic “Ode To Michael King.” Added strings make the ears more calmed and balmed on the longing “Heal Me On This Cloudy Day” showing the wide range this bassist is able to create.
The quintet Girls In Airports consists of Martin Stender/sax, Lars Greve/sax-cl, Mathias Holm/key, Voctor Dybbroe/perc and Mads Forsby/dr on nine concise pieces that mix ambience with energy. Gentle melodies abound with atmospheric keyboard chords provided by Holm driven forward by the rhythm as Greve clarinet coasts over “Dovetail” and the gentle reeds blend together hand in hand as they traipse through “Aftentur” and “Aeiki.” Hints of Brian Eno’s influence abound, with gentle pulses on “Randall’s Island” and playful pe rcussion on “Mammatus” combined with the breathy saxes to make you think of albums like Music For Airports and Before and After Science. Music that takes you on short and enjoyable journeys of thought.
Edition Records
www.editionrecords.com