This
is a great swinging toe-tapper of an album. After an interesting 2012
debut album 'Can't Keep Still', Gary Porter follows
up with a terrific ten track album made up of a mixture of dance
jazz, cool big band and even a little ska/reggae.
The
new big line up totals eleven, all consummate musicians and everyone
getting to play a part in the carefully arranged numbers. The jazz
influence is particularly notable when the stunning soprano, tenor
and baritone saxophones are let loose – especially on the
tracks 'Breadline' and ' The Way it Was' but the
even-handedness of arrangements is such that organ, piano and harp
are all allowed to shine.
If
there were to be a video attached to this album, it would surely
evoke that great dance band period when the singer fronted a talented
band and soloists stood up to take their piece of the action.
One
track, with a smart piano intro and organ accompaniment, 'Hand on My
Heart' has a great film track appeal, bluesy and cheek-to-cheek.
Much of this CD certainly evokes a time when everyone was on
the floor to dance and applauded the musicianship. In some respects
it is a pity that this was not a live album to give us a bit more of
that atmosphere. However, such is the production that you can almost
hear the delighted audience response at the end of the 'big band'
numbers.
A
powerful presence on the album is that of the great rising and flying
soul voice of singer Lisa Mills who together with some other backing
singers give some real substance and breadth to a number of tracks.
This is a beautiful and important element of the album that will
certainly increase its air-play possibilities.
This
is a smart collection, full of clever jazz phrasing, great individual
musicianship, mellow vocals and rhythmic incident. You won't find it
filed under a particular heading – but who cares. It is a fine
collection of some bluesy, soulful and hip stuff that is hugely
entertaining and enjoyable.
