Indigo Kid II: Fist Full of Notes | Album Review

Like most jazz musicians of his generation, guitarist Dan Messore draws on a pretty wide variety of influences in his music, and some are what you might expect: Frisell, Metheny, Rosenwinkel.

But also discernible on the young Englishman’s follow-up to his well-received debut album are more unexpected references: to folk music – think Bert Jansch with effects pedals; and to more exotic flavours, courtesy of time spent in Costa Rica.

Saxophonist Iain Ballamy, who mentored the young guitarist at the Welsh College of Music, adds his soft-spoken authority on a couple of tracks and the rest feature fast-rising saxophonist Trish Clowes, while the hugely experienced rhythm section of drummer Martin France and bassist Tim Harries frame Messore’s likeable melodies with solid grooves.

[ babellabel.co.uk ]