Label: self released, 2020
Personnel - Claire Cope: piano, synths; Brigitte Beraha: vocals; Rob Cope: saxophone; Jack Davies: trumpet; Tom Varrall: guitar; Ed Babar: electric and double basses; Jon Ormston: drums.
British pianist/composer Claire Cope, a graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music, makes her recording debut as a leader at the helm of Ensemble C, a septet of London-based jazz musicians she very much admires. Each of the nine tunes on Small World tells its own story, whether inspired by traveling, human connection or common hopes.
The freshness and radiance of the pieces are instantly felt as soon as we begin this journey, but there are special pieces that take us to special places. That's the case of “A Day in a Life”, which emits an energizing, positive light a-la Pat Metheny. The piece develops under an astute 11/8 meter with a strong guitar figure, opportune chromatic shifts in tone, soul-stirring harmonic fluidity, and the superb vocals of Brigitte Beraha, who is backed up by the horn section. Claire’s husband, the saxophonist Rob Cope, delivers an arresting improvisation, working dynamics with passion and authority.
“The Time is Now” and “Spirited” are also memorable episodes. The former moves forward with affectionate graciousness at the same time that boasts a glowing melody, while the latter shows the bandleader’s eclectic vision as the group embarks on a soft dance in six, mainly inspired by the slums of Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. The diligent work of bassist Ed Babar stands out on this one.
“Small World” advocates for a more tolerant world, expressing it through a tango-ish vibe with propulsive snare drum in the back and pulsing piano chops in assistance to a finely calibrated texture. The vocals are spot-on and trumpeter Jack Davies joins the bandleader as featured soloists.
Piloting the ship with discernment, Cope achieves some moments of glory on “Sea of Tranquility”, an auspicious attempt to sonically depict the lunar stillness in Damien Chazelle’s First Man, a biographical drama film about the American astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Before the brief “Outro”, which takes the record to a conclusion, “Travelling Again” features the words of Chinese poet Du Fu, which find a vehicle of beautiful expression in the voice of Beraha.
Ensemble C’s debut album forecasts a promising future for Cope as a composer, concretizing a versatile vision of contemporary jazz that never loses direction.
Grade B+
Favorite Tracks:
02 - A Day in a Life ► 04 - Small World ► 07 - The Time is Now