Jessica Lauren - Almería '2018

Tracks list

Since the early 1990s, keyboard player Jessica Lauren has been a familiar part
of Londons alternative music scene. Jessicas keyboard skills have augmented the
live performances and studio recordings of world renowned artists such as Jean
Carne, Tom Browne, Dexter Wansel and James Mason, Japans United Future
Organisation, and UK soul diva Juliet Roberts. 

Her previous Freestyle album Jessica Lauren Four (2012) highlighted Jessicas
minimalist approach, something rare and refreshing in the jazz world: she
instills her compositions and playing with a refined sense of space which makes
her music as much about what she doesnt play as what she does. 

The albums opener - Kofi Nomad is a deeply percussive afrocentric epic,
featuring the beautiful baritone saxaphone of Tamar Collocutor Osborn, one of
the most in demand woodwind players working today, underpinned by a powerful
foundation of percussion courtesy of Richard Ọlátúndé Baker,
Phillip Harper and drummer Cosimo Keita Cadore. 

Jessicas amazing skill for writing simple, understated yet superbly memorable
and catchy hooks remains undiminished. Highlights in this new collection are
almost too numerous to mention, but Amalfi is a breezy bossa, which conjures up
images of easy living days and sun dappled Mediterranean coastlines, whilst the
angular and brooding Simba Jike has something of an Eddie Harris style deep,
dark groove over which Jessica riffs and solos beautifully on grand piano - and
Tamar once again blows freely, whilst level Neville Malcolms upright bass figure
roots the entire thing in a solid, almost primeval sound. 

The albums closing statement Argentina is a masterpiece of pathos and perfectly
demonstrates Jessicas approach which is almost akin to a minimalist architecture
style of composing and playing, such is the strength of its atmosphere and
subtlety. 

Tracklist:
01. Jessica Lauren - Kofi Nomad
02. Jessica Lauren - Teck Et Bambou
03. Jessica Lauren - Amalfi
04. Jessica Lauren - Simba Jike
05. Jessica Lauren - Chichourlette
06. Jessica Lauren - Bells Ring for Esmeralda
07. Jessica Lauren - Beija Flor
08. Jessica Lauren - Chocolate Con Churros
09. Jessica Lauren - Argentina

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