Music
Ole Seimetz Quartet, Jazz Bar, Edinburgh
Rob Adams
FOUR STARS
No-one expects a drummer who leads his own band to be a shrinking violet and while there have been many more flamboyant, not to say domineering, drummer-bandleaders, Ole Seimetz still likes to show who??s boss. He probably needs to. Although it??s never fussy, there??s a lot of detail and specific releases of energy in the music that the Hamburg-based drummer has collected for this quartet.
The Scottish half of the group, pianist Dave Patrick and bassist Andrew Robb, work closely together on strong basslines and ostinatos, giving the music, which mostly comes from saxophonist Max von Mosch, a natural impetus and Seimetz??s smart execution adds to the urgency and excitement.
At the same time, Seimetz likes to groove and the inclusion of Duke Pearson??s Janine offered the prospect of a more relaxed sense of camaraderie among a group who had spent the previous eight days touring Germany together, an experience that showed in both their familiarity with the material and the assured, questing spontaneity of Patrick and Von Mosch??s improvising.
The saxophonist is a shrewd appointment. His playing style is very tidy and tightly focused and a big, penetrative tone allows him to impose himself authoritatively over the rhythm section or, in the case of his composition inspired by the idea of catching a big wave, create a very believable impression of surfing as he and Seimetz spar in a surging duet.
Singer Jess Abrams?? introduction for three songs reflected Seimetz??s desire for variety and accessibility and her singing of her own lyrics to John Coltrane??s Lonnie??s Lament allowed the quartet to show their creative accompanists?? credentials on a great tune.
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