Artist: Ben Thomas

Date of Release: 01/01/2003

Catalogue no: LDCD01

Label: Free Spirit (Records)

Price: £10

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Track Listing

Last Day features Ben Thomas on trumpet, Jim Barber on piano and keyboard, Jon Goode on bass, Ian Williams on drums and Laura Collins on vocals on track 10.

Reviews

04/08/2003 Nick Lea-Jazz Views

In these times when it now possible for just anybody to produce a CD (and let's face it, most do), there is an unfortunate backlash that in the clamor to be heard a fair amount of dross also finds its way into the market place. It therefore gives me great pleasure to say that this release from Welsh trumpeter, Ben Thomas, is not one of them.


Thomas has assembled a fine quartet that have obviously worked at their music over a period of time and not always looking to play the obvious at every turn, whilst avoiding that other pitfall of being overly clever for the sake of it. The band dig in where needed and provide excellent support and clearly enjoy playing for each other.


A new name to me until this disc arrived, Ben Thomas is by all accounts gaining a steady reputation throughout Wales and the South West Of England for his playing and composing. He has been playing trumpet since he was seven and also fronted jazz bands on trumpet and piano since the age of thirteen. Studying at the Welsh College Of Music And Drama, he has also studied with Keith Tippett, and has since worked as a freelance performer.


He has a tightly controlled tone on muted trumpet, which refreshingly owes nothing to Miles Davis (although he does play a haunting version of Davis's 'Blue In Green'), and has a liquid and clear tone on the open horn. His assurance at a quicker tempo is shown on a sprightly (yet not rushed) 'Confirmation' and plays an imaginatively arranged 'Soul Eyes', and a clean limbed 'How Deep Is The Ocean'. There is a nice rendition of Benny Golson's 'Stablemates' and a couple of interesting originals in the self penned 'Double Cross' and especially Free Fall' contributed by saxophonist, Lee Goodall. Its early days, but this is a nicely presented debut that I'm sure I will return to for repeat listens, and look forward to further developments from the trumpeter.