COMPOSERS: Mike Carr
LABELS: Cargogold
WORKS: jazz
PERFORMER: Mike Carr Quartet and Trio
CATALOGUE NO: CGCD 191
The sleeve artwork has overtones of Sixties Blue Note and the organ sound recalls the ‘soul jazz’ period preserved by the American label. But this is Willesden, and Mike Carr is behind the articulate and driving Hammond sound propelling an all-English quartet.
Joined by the yin and yang of the London club circuit, guitarist Jim Mullen and tenorist Dick Morrissey, the rhythm section stoking up the pacey original compositions comprises Mark Taylor on drums and the leader’s own feet, pumping the bass pedals. Carr’s agile, treble-ended technique is a delight and a counterpoint to Morrissey’s tough blues blowing. Mullen swaps supple solo lines with his peers or cuts in behind with chords. Intelligent and loose-limbed bop. Garry Booth