I
think that it is safe to say that it does not get much better than
this. The Five Corners Quintet are a Helsinki based jazz outfit and
an extension to the acclaimed Nuspirit Helsinki collective. Led by
producer Tuomas Kallio who recently told me that there success is in
being able to collaborate with people from different backgrounds
and develop the genre of formal academic jazz which is
something the US refuses to do.To which he should have added as an
aside that they also happen to make you want to dance too!
This debut album features a mix of
groove laden instrumentals with a distinct Blue Note jazz
influence from the sixties and yet it sounds as fresh as anything
that I have heard all year. Tracks such as 'Trading Eights','
Lighthouse' and 'Unsquare Bossa' are examples of crafted
stylish jazz tailored for the dance floor kept vibrant by the cross
section of ages present in the group. Frankly an album of those
alone would have given me enough pleasure, but add to this vocals
from Parisian based Okou and the piece de resistance, the incredibly
cool and hip, Mark Murphy and you have an album originating in
Heaven!
Check Murphy on ' Before we say
Goodbye' and you are listening to a master craftsman at work backed
again by Kallio's superb production.The album is really is
one of the years best, search it out and become a part of the future
of jazz.
