Artist: Theo Travis

Date of Release: 01/01/2000

Catalogue no: SR20001201

Label: Symbol Records

Price: £12

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Track Listing

Travis / Beaujolais Quartet - Berlin Vibe Theo Travis (saxophones/flute) Roger Beaujolais (vibraphone) Bjorn Lucker (Drums) Stefan Weeke (bass)

Reviews

01/01/2000 Theo Travis

"It all came together in June 2000 when the Goethe Institute, London enabled a UK tour of the four of us. Every night was a real joy. Approached by Symbol Records to record an album of original material, it was an offer we couldn't refuse. So here we are a year layer with this album, which combines my tunes, Roger's and a couple of other compositions. I think it's turned out well and hope you enjoy it".

01/01/2000 Alyn Shipton, Jazzwise

"Fresh original music from two of Britain's best soloists, teamed with a pair of star players from Hamburg. Bassist Stefan Weeke and drummer Bjorn Lucker. Travis is not afraid to experiment with structure - why not use drums to close a lengthy original?- and his flute playing goes from strength to strength. The blend of flute and vibes gives the quartet an airy , ethereal sound, and this carries over to the tracks where Travis plays soprano or flute. And, although it's hard to do, hecatches the energy of his live sets, especially the way he builds from a gentle, bluesy opening to the climax of his own Lark in the Dark. Both UK contributors hold their own as composers too, notably Beaujolais' ballad "For those who dream."

01/01/2000 John Eyles, Jazz Rag

"Feel is one of those intangibles that jazz fans often give as a reason for liking some music but not other.When pushed , few of us could define it, but we all know it whenwe hear it. This album has it. Dating from December 2000, it was recorded following a summer tour of the UK by Berlin Vibe, the Anglo-German quartet Theo Travis put together for the tour. Old associates Travis and Beaujolais -they go back nearly a decade - are joined by Bjorn Lucker on drums and Stefan Weeke on bass. Travis selected Lucker for his "relaxed feel and sensitive playing" and Weeke because his playing is "strong, melodic, imaginitive and supportive", both decisions amply jusitified by the results. This sounds like a band that has toured together. The music here is mellow, melodic and swinging throughout. Travis has a warm , gentle tone, whether on tenor or soprano, that blends well with the vibes to produce a very laid-back feel. When he plays flute, there is an incisiveness that commands attention, as on his own "Everything Matters" or the Beaujolais composition " Some Things Just Happen", on which the flute is just the ingredient it needs to avert bland pleasantness. The album walks that fine line between predictability and creativity, but manages tostay on the right side of it. The most adventurous piece here , Anthony Cox's "Conclusion/Beginning", is also the best, providing a showcase for all four players.It's loosenessprovides a welcome contrast the the tight arrangements of some of the other material. It never loses its swing but it also prevents the album becoming just too comfortable.