Ivo Neame: Strata | Album Review

English pianist Ivo Neame is a vital cog in several of European jazz’s most forward-looking groups, including bassist Jasper Hoiby’s Phronesis trio and saxophonist Marius Neset’s current group.

Here, the pianist strikes out on his own, putting a set of original compositions before a front-rank London group that includes saxophonist Tori Freestone, vibist Jim Hart and drummer Dave Hamblett.

Neame is a pianist with plenty of technique under the hood – indebted to Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and John Taylor – but that technique is always put to the service of the music and, like the rest of his talented quintet, Neame knows when to ebb and when to flow.

A singular voice and a communal effort from a group of musicians who are shaping the future of British jazz.

[ ivoneame.co.uk ]