Jazz Journal
Freedom Art Quartet: First Dance (Freedom Art Records /FAR-
52962)
It’s very rare that I play a new album and immediately know that I’m going to
like it, but that’s the feeling I got here. It’s a little bit chaotic, a little bit Mingus
and, to use an old phrase, right up my street. From the first moment on
opening track Counterbalance, with its clever, intertwining brass parts, to the
final note of First Dance, the album is captivating, enthralling and exciting. In
short, I loved it.
It’s often difficult to write about the music that you like but I’ll try and do the
album justice. Imagine a journey where everything you pass has something
enjoyable to experience. At times you feel as if the vehicle is teetering on losing
control, but that just adds to the excitement. You have no idea what is around
the next corner, but you’re certain that whatever it is, will be equally as good.
The brass is frantic and oozes energy and urgency, the percussion and drums
tap along at Art Blakey tempo (check out Stop Watch for proof, along with a
tight snare solo for added kick) and the bass is pitched perfectly. The bass is a
dream on this album: the tone is wonderful and the opening to US Blues
Inc highlights this. It’s everything a bass tone should be: it’s deep, warm and
reaches the back of your neck when it hits the treble. My album of the year so
far.
30 September 2025 Darren Arthur