Venture down a dark, city centre back street in Liverpool on certain nights and you may hear the distant sound of a singing, high trumpet emanating from some low lit local bar or pub: invariably this will be the sound of Martin Smith and his group. For numerous years the improvising trumpeter and now composer has been one of the most respected jazz musicians in the area and the north west; having worked closely with the members of his group, The Weave for some considerable time anyway – and been a part of other bands such as the Wizards of Twiddly and the John Martyn tribute project Solid Air Band – Smith has definitely released a record fitting of his musical talents. The artists accompanying him on The Weave are his usual collaborators: Anthony Peers (Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocals); Rob Stringer (Piano, Fender Rhodes, Vocals); Hugo Harrison (Double Bass); Anthony Ormesher (Guitar); Tilo Pirnbaum (Drum, Percussion) and Stuart Hardcastle (Percussion). All are regulars in the Liverpool jazz community and this extended line up (as opposed merely to the ubiquitous quartet form) allows for elegant arrangement and textural touches. The recording has great clarity yet is not heavily produced, perhaps preferring to [...]
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