In April 2022 I reviewed the CD 'King Phoenix' by the British quintet The Jazz Defenders, which was their second album. On April 19th the successor, the third album, was released, which I am only now getting my hands on. The line-up has remained constant, apart from one change in tenor saxophonist: leader, principal composer and keyboardist George Cooper, trumpeter Nick Malcolm, tenor saxophonist Jake McMurchie (on his first album with the group), bassist Will Harris and drummer Ian Matthews. Cooper plays acoustic piano, Wurlitzer, organ and vibraphone and Harris plays double bass and electric bass. Once again, the CD brings a mixture of influences and styles, from timeless acoustic jazz (reminiscent of Blue Note Records), to contemporary fusion, where jazz meets soul, funk and hip hop. The opening track 'Meanderthal' brings contemporary soul jazz to this party. Then 'The Long Haul' sounds lighter, while 'Chasing Fantasies' brings swing jazz. Hip-hop via rapper Doc Brown rears its head during 'Rolling On A High', a combination that could previously be heard on their second CD. The beautiful 'Take A Minute' floats on a laid-back groove, with a cinematic arrangement in the background. 'Fuffle Kershuffle' brings us back to fun soul jazz, followed by the cheerful 'Snakebite Playfight'. 'Net Zero' comes across as complex due to its drum rhythms and horns, and the closing track 'Enigma' was recorded live in Paris. But make no mistake, this has become a romantic ballad, with only piano and bass. So a soft end to this album. Still a pretty nice CD, which links the legacy of the past to contemporary soul jazz, fusion, soul, funk and hip hop.
		Tracks: Meanderthal The Long Haul Chasing Fantasies Rolling On A High Take A Minute Fuffle Kershuffle Snakebite Playfight Net Zero Enigma The Jazz Defenders