Hills & Valleys is the musically superb and atmospheric album, from the seven-piece acoustic jazz ensemble Superlocrian.

Release date: Available now

Label: Spark

Format: CD / Digital 

Superlocrian are a new acoustic chamber-jazz septet, founded by trumpeter and composer Sam Massey, comprising three trumpets/flugelhorns, two woodwinds, trombone and tuba. The album Hills & Valleys includes both original compositions, and some dazzling arrangements of well-known classic standards. Many of the original compositions were inspired by the landscape local to the composers, particularly the Dartmoor National Park. 

Whitchurch Down, the opening track, perfectly illustrates the landscape of rural Dartmoor inspiration. It has a beautiful pastoral-tinged central theme, which is gently and sensitively developed, allowing the woodwind and brass instruments to weave some wonderfully subtle accents around the melody. Tom Green’s trombone solo in this piece is an absolute joy. 

wistful ambience

Hills & Valleys, the title track, similarly draws on this landscape, and has a lovely wistful ambience, led by a very moving saxophone introduction. The way the instruments create a perfect pattern of intersecting sounds, to give expression to an atmospheric sound picture of the Dartmoor landscape is just mesmerising. It is followed by a sublime interpretation of the Bacharach-David standard Close To You, arranged by Callum Au. It is a soaring arrangement, where the players authentically carry the sense of longing intrinsic to the song. Mike Poyser’s tuba adds an underlying playfulness, bringing out new sides to this great song. At the same time the arrangement respectfully nods to The Carpenters definitive version.  It is a real highlight of the album. 

Ballad For Kenny is a piece that initially offers a ballad like sense of yearning, with the brass instruments to the fore, and the musical theme being taken up by the saxophone. Then intriguingly the music changes direction, with a pacy mid section, where the woodwind and brass players deliver some very engaging cross cutting ensemble riffs.

zappa-esque complex brass

Snake’s Meadow endearingly reminded this reviewer of some of Frank Zappa’s dazzlingly complex brass arrangements from the Waka/Jawaka and Grand Wazoo era. It is followed by two more well known song standards given a fresh musical lease of life by the sympathetic new arrangements by Sam Massey. The Carpenters standard Rainy Days and Mondays, written by Williams-Nichols, is beautifully played, with the song’s sense of underlying melancholy, gently stated. Edward Leaker’s alto saxophone solo weaves magically around the central melody.

Nobody Does It Better, written by Hamlisch-Sager, and sung by Carly Simon, was the theme song for the James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me. The ensemble have a lot of fun with their interpretation, segueing into the theme for From Russia With Love, and the main Bond theme. The closing number is 2020, a tour de force big band arrangement that provides a creative canvas for some striking solos from Tom Green on trombone, Jade Gall on tenor saxophone, and Gavin Mallett on trumpet. 

a joyous listen

This is a joyous album to listen to, beautifully conveying moods and landscapes, through a series of musically captivating arrangements. The arrangements allow both the solo playing and ensemble sections to really soar and impress. This is chamber acoustic jazz at its very best. A highly recommended album. 

View here, the official video for Whitchurch Down:

 Superlocrian online: Website / Facebook

Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube