Kairos 4tet - Everything We Hold '2013

Tracks list

Adam Waldmann is a young man with big hair, a big smile and big ideas. Just
three years ago, the young saxophonist burst onto the scene with his band Kairos
4tet, delivering a stunning debut that swiftly positioned him as a cornerstone
of the British jazz scene. With melodies that worm their way into your brain and
stay there long after the final notes ring out, Waldmann is celebrated for his
gift of bridging the elusive gap between crossover appeal and serious jazz cred.

Everything We Hold is Kairos 4tets third album and first recording for Naim
Jazz. This time, in a bid to push the boundaries of his own creativity, Waldmann
explores in great depth the art of song. In doing so, Waldmann forged
relationships that not only presented him with new musical vistas, but inspired
him immensely on what became an exploration of the human condition. To that end,
this album sees Waldmann collaborating with lyricist, film maker, and actor
Rupert Friend (Pride & Prejudice, Young Victoria, Homeland), a writing
partnership first hinted at on Kairos 4tets second album, Statement of Intent.
With one half of the album featuring vocals, Everything We Hold is Waldmanns
most unapologetically diverse album to date.

For Waldmann, a socially conscious, deep thinker, the songs he wrote with Friend
represent the relationships most important to him, yet have a universal essence.
They reflect events that occurred during the past year, including reuniting with
his band following time away due to injury, alongside compositions dedicated to,
each member of his quartet. Framing the album is the instrumental suite, The 99
Parts 1,2,3 and 4 in recognition of the Occupy Movement and the phrase ‘We
are the 99\% that references social and economic inequality. The reoccurring
musical motifs both within the suite and referenced from the other songs says
Adam, serve to remind us of connectivity on a wider scale.

One of three stunning guest vocalists joining Waldmann is Irish
singer-songwriter Marc OReilly who lends his husky voice to three stand-out
tracks including the incredibly moving Ells Bells, a lullaby for Waldmanns
niece. Soul star Omar, who Waldmann met at 2011s MOBO ceremony while collecting
his Best Jazz Act trophy, appears on the albums ripe-for-radio, Song For The
Open Road, a song about finding ones true self. Finally, no stranger to Kairos
fans having appeared on both previous recordings is Swedish singer Emilia
MÃ¥rtensson, whose wistfully intimate voice is heard on the haunting song,
Narrowboat Man, an ode to friendship, alongside three others. With the addition
of accordion, French horn, harp, cello and even glockenspiel, Everything We Hold
represents a giant leap forward for this precocious talent.

For Waldman, there was only one creative genius that could fill the producers
chair - conductor, composer, musical director, founder of the Heritage Orchestra
and one of his oldest friends, Jules Buckley. Having worked with some of the
countrys biggest artists, from Arctic Monkeys and Basement Jaxx, to Anthony and
the Johnsons and Michael Kiwanuka, Waldmann knew that Buckley was just the chap
to help frame this broad and challenging body of work. Jules is probably the
most natural musician I have ever met, and the string arrangements he did for
Narrowboat Man and Ells Bells are really wonderful. Hes helped realise the
potential, both sonically and creatively, that I was after“.

Theres no doubt that while Waldmann has presented a remarkably accessible
collection of compositions, the Kairos 4tet trademark qualities remain. At the
very core of each song is a lyrical, melodic quality and exceptional
inventiveness. Waldmann, a graceful player, displays remarkable talent whether
on breathy tenor or quirky soprano, and with bassist Jasper Hoibys muscular
basslines, Ivo Neames dazzling piano and Jon Scotts solid drumming, the quartet
allow a sharp improvisational edge to shine through. Born through the
sophisticated and compelling interplay between a quartet with incredible
rapport, Waldmanns band mates have achieved the difficult task of performing
their band leaders songs, rather than simply presenting a quartet with a
vocalist.

edgy groove-shuffling… slinky swing, thoughtful and quickwitted…
very accomplished” (The Guardian)

“Bursting with dreamy, hummable melodic themes… (this is easily
Waldmann’s ) best to date…..Mercury Prize judges might want to take
note” (Jazzwise)

a deft, clever and engaging piece of work... expressive and poetic (Music OMH)

“Spellbinding instrumentals that blend high-calibre jazz improvisation
with accessible melodies…a scintillating new opus.” (MOJO)

Adam Waldmann, saxophones
Ivo Neame, piano
Jasper Høiby, bass
Jon Scott, drums

Guest vocalists:
Omar Lye-Fook MBE, vocals (on track 6)
Marc OReilly, vocals (on tracks 2, 4, 9)
Emilia Martensson, vocals (on tracks 1, 4, 12)

Additional musicians:
Ben Davis, cello (on tracks 2, 5, 12, 13)
Rupert Friend, glockenspiel (on track 8)
Jules Buckley, additional piano (on track 4), metal drum (on track 2)
Ivo Neame, harmonium (on track 4), accordion (on tracks 2, 4, 6), bass clarinet
(on tracks 7, 8, 10)
John Turville, piano (on tracks 9, 13)
Tom Mason, bass (on tracks 9, 13)
Kate Robinson, violin (on tracks 4, 9, 13)
Matthew Elston, violin (on tracks 4, 9, 13)
Becky Jones, viola (on tracks 4, 9, 13)
Julia Dale, cello (on tracks 4, 9, 13)
Tori Handsley, harp (on tracks 4, 9, 13)
Tim Anderson, French horn (on tracks 9, 13)

Tracklist:
01. Kairos 4tet - The 99 Pt 1 [Great Scott] (3:52)
02. Kairos 4tet - Home To You (feat. Marc OReilly) (4:50)
03. Kairos 4tet - J-Hø from the Block (7:00)
04. Kairos 4tet - Narrowboat Man (feat. Emilia Martensson and Marc OReilly)
(5:50)
05. Kairos 4tet - Reunion (7:12)
06. Kairos 4tet - Song For The Open Road (feat. Omar) (4:40)
07. Kairos 4tet - The 99 Pt 2 (5:16)
08. Kairos 4tet - The 99 Pt 3 (2:56)
09. Kairos 4tet - Ells Bells (feat. Marc OReilly) (3:42)
10. Kairos 4tet - Finding Neamo (6:52)
11. Kairos 4tet - The 99 Pt 4 (0:56)

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