Nathan Haines - The Poets Embrace '2012

Tracks list

Tracks

1. Realisation
2. Universal Man
3. Ancestral Dance
4. The Poets Embrace
5. Eboness
6. Consequence
7. Offering

Personnel

Nathan Haines - saxophone
Kevin Field - piano
Alain Koetsier - drums
Thomas Botting - bass


The spiritual jazz path is not noted for being an easy option, but over the
years its proved to be one of the most rewarding choices, for both musician and
listener. Much of the music on The Poets Embrace suggests that tenor saxophonist
Nathan Haines has traveled at least some way along that path in creating this
album and the results of that journey are impressive.

In a career that began in the 80s as a teenager in his native New Zealand,
Haines has encompassed jazz, soul, dance and house music, working with a diverse
array of collaborators including arranger and pianist Alan Broadbent, singer and
writer Damon Albarn and jazz-funksters Jamiroquai. There have been seven
previous studio albums under his own name as well.

The Poets Embrace represents something of a departure from Haines previous work:
his first album recorded live, straight to tape using analog equipment and
without overdubs. The resultant sound, courtesy of producer Mike Patto, is warm
and rich, resonant of late-50s and early-60s period vinyl records from labels
such as Blue Note and Impulse!. The album was recorded in New Zealand in
December 2011 and features fine support from Kevin Field on piano (he also
composed Offering) and the bass/drums partnership of Thomas Botting and Alain
Koetsier.

The beautiful Realisation, credtied to Haines, Field and Patto, opens
proceedings with Haines tenor at its silkiest and most ethereal. Its relaxed
mood continues across most of the following tunes—even the sprightly,
up-tempo Ancestral Dance sounds effortlessly groovy. The albums sole cover tune,
Roy Brooks  Eboness, is characterised by the same spacious, laid back, feel as
Yusef Lateefs version on The Diverse Yusef Lateef (Atlantic,1970). Bottings
hypnotic bass line controls the tempo as Haines plays the seductive melody: in
fact, its a fine performance all round.

BRUCE LINDSAY

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