Jazz review: Julian Argüelles

Published on Sunday 24 May 2009 19:35

**** BASHO RECORDS, £12.72

THE East Lothian-based saxophonist Julian Argelles can't be accused of not ringing the changes on the recording front. He follows his recent multi-layered but entirely solo Inner Voices CD with this excellent live set at the other extreme of the numbers game, featuring the Frankfurt Radio Bigband and guest pianist Gwilym Simcock.

Argelles is the main soloist on both tenor and soprano saxophones, and has composed all seven pieces on the album, drawn from various points in his prolific career.

His writing and arranging avoids the clichs of big band conventions, and offers a pleasing variety of moods and colourings, taking in the Spanish-tinged Barcelona 1936, idiosyncratic but elegant ballads in You See My Dear and Skull View, the fiery contortions of Evan's Freedom Pass, the almost pastoral contours of Hi Steve and the delicious Mish Mash along the way.

The Frankfurt musicians take on the challenges with aplomb, and the saxophonist provides space for several fine soloists from the band to have their say as well.