Album Reviews

Bill Evans: Vans Joint (BHM/BirdJam) (£12.99)

Here's an energetic outing for saxophonist Bill Evans, who's manifestly enjoying himself in the company of the cracking WDR Big Band, from Cologne. The music is a full-throated charge through Evans jazz-rock favourites like the title track, Cool Eddie, Snap Dragon and Rattletrap. Arranger Mike Abene has produced some scintillating charts for the band, which plays with admirable verve and energy. Expanding these songs for orchestra casts them in a new light, and Evans rises to the occasion with some blistering work on tenor and soprano. AV

Ralph Towner/Paolo Fresu: Chiaroscuro (ECM) (12.99)

This is different – a series of quiet duets between the masterful Towner on guitar and Fresu on trumpet and flugelhorn. It's an unusual pairing, but the two players make it work thanks to a shared sensitivity, and highly compatible gifts for melodic improvisation. Towner is careful to avoid any monotony by moving between classical, baritone and 12-string guitars, and Fresu's command of dynamics is well to the fore. The programme is mostly Towner originals, and there are moments of beauty throughout. It's quiet, contemplative jazz. AV

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Svyati Duo: Music for Organ and Cello. Regent, REGCD337. (13.99)

The pairing of organ and trumpet is well known; less so that of organ and cello. So it's good to welcome a recording that makes such a strong case for it. Yorkshire-born Rebecca Hewes, a cellist of great talent, is partnered by another fine young musician, Julian Collings, in a programme that includes works by Rheinberger and Dupre. Highlights are the bubbling Humoresque of Jongen and a thoughtful new piece, Invisible Landscapes, by Russell Hepplewhite. A splendid enterprise. RC

Andras Schiff: Bach Partitas. ECM Records, ECM 2001/02. (19.99)

Schiff announced himself as a Bach player of uncommon interest when he won a prize at the Leeds Piano Competition in 1975. The qualities of poise, grace and beauty of line are again in evidence in a new recording of the Six Partitas. He comes at them now with the added perspective of a conductor and the result is lovely. The atmospheric recording captures the dancing rhythms and textures clarified by fingerwork of memorable delicacy. RC