This
CD appears under the name of tenor-saxist
Jim Tomlinson and it’s his first album
as leader for four years. However, it
seems to be monopolised by Jim’s wife,
Stacey Kent. She sings on all but two
of the tracks and Jim is undeservedly
sidelined. On most tracks he only gets
to play one chorus – usually between Stacey’s
opening and closing choruses – and then
he tends to fade into the background or
disappear altogether.
This
is a pity, because Jim is a fine saxophonist
who deserves his own showcase. You can
hear just how fine he is on the opening
track. Sure, he sounds a lot like Stan
Getz but that’s no bad thing, as the result
is a lovely mellow sound and some supple,
fluent improvisation. David Newton’s piano
is also heard to advantage here – in fact,
his playing is a constant delight throughout
the album. But why, on this bossa-nova,
does the bassist play a stodgy two-in-a-bar,
which hardly keeps the rhythm moving forward?
Stacey
Kent’s vocals dominate the next eight
tracks – in her trademark style of gentle
breathiness. It is all very professional
and pleasant, although more variety might
be introduced if she and Jim occasionally
let loose with a bit more punch. Most
of the music is exquisitely tasteful but
also very buttoned-up: well-suited to
the lounge bar but maybe a bit too laid-back
for the jazz club. If I Were a Bell
provides a bit more wellie, with a bluesy
solo from Dave Newton.
Jim
Tomlinson has been very generous in promoting
his wife’s career rather than his own,
but the two of them are, in their own
way, equal talents – so it would be nice
if Jim got more exposure in his own right.
And if he continues to emulate Stan Getz,
it would be good to hear him injecting
some of the Getzian passion that we heard
on such albums as Stan’s Focus
(1961) or Live in Paris (1995).
Tony Augarde
CD Reviews
Token 0501
