Another enjoyable evening at The Vortex for the launch of ‘August’, the latest release by Alison Raynor and her Quintet. As I was to write in the autumn issue of The Musician, double bassist and composer Alison has been wowing audiences for many years, whether in the jazz-Latin Guest Stars or working with Tal Farlow.
This disc is packed with her own prime fusion and swing compositions, such as Mr Stanley II and Half a World Away. Alison was a winner of the Jazz Services Recording Subsidy Award for 2013 and here leads Diane McLoughlin (sax), Deirdre Cartwright (guitar), Steve Lodder (piano), Buster Birch (drums). Opening were the excellent Element, a collaborative trio featuring Ralph Wyld on vibes, Flo Moore on bass and Rod Oughton on drums. I look forward to hearing more from them in the months to come.