01/09/2005 Straight no Chaser

STRAIGHT NO CHASER

Review

It's been a very long time coming, but at long last the debut Mistura LP is here. A decade ago, flautist Rowland Sutherland's fierce, multi-talented outfit could be seen gigging around London. And in 2003, the sound of Afro-Brazilian street percussion still sounds as fresh. The artists on this live set read like a who's who of the contemporary Latin jazz scene. Joe de Jesus on trombone blows as hard as ever, as does Sound Advice's Byron Wallen on trumpet. Richard Ajileye's percussion is intense and intricate and, of course, it's all tied together by the precision flute playing and vision of Rowland Sutherland. Apart from the epic samba rhythms of the title track, the LP is also worth checking for Mistura's glorious version of Oli Ahvenlahti's 'Grandma's Rocking Chair', another dancefloor stormer. It's taken some time to finally come around, but it's great to have them back.

13/08/2004 George W. Carroll

Mistura E-JAZZNEWS REVIEW

A panoply of fusion, funk, and some jazz are words that come to mind as I listen & review the UK'S Rowland Sutherland & his new ''Mistura'' CD project. Positive latin influences are prominent throughout the project, & the group's take of tunes such as ''Lilting'' can only be described (assertively I might add), as mystical.
Leader Sutherland's flute renditions are prodigious, as the group plies their wares with a tightness manifest in all their renderings. This is good solid music, & these well polished performances are not lacking in invention. On the contrary, I will suggest that Sutherland's body of work here (which I assume is all original), is replete with a high level of infinite, praiseworthy, professional, & musical conscientiousness..................All virtues that can only be described as admirable.

George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman

01/12/0004 All That Jazz, Sean

I can remember, in the 80s to mid 90s, always longing and
looking forwards for Friday nights and Sunday afternoons to arrive.
The two big regular jazz and Latin dance events in good olde London
town took place at the Bass Clef (Fridays in Hoxton) and the
Dingwalls club (Sundays in Camden Lock). They were a real treat as
you were able to check out some of the finest bands from home and
abroad giving their all to a fired up music and dance loving crowd
alway happy to lose themselves in the glorious sounds. The djs were
always at hand to keep the good vibes flowing in between the live
sets.

The most memorable occasions were witnessing the awesome flute
playing of Rowland Sutherland and his electrifying band Mistura
which was filled with a lot of stars from the London Latin and jazz
scene. It was such a wonderful combination of Brazilian and jazz
sounds filling the room. A horn frontline that featured such
exspressive, muscular and colourful flute moments amidst the
vibrantly rich trumpet and trombone lines. And as if that wasn't
enough the rhythm section laying down some incredibly infectious
grooves. They played some familiar tunes by the likes of Mongo
Santamaria and Airto as well as a number of originals by the band
leader which I hadn't heard before but they felt as if I had known
them for a long time. It was so refreshing to hear this band as the
jazz, for once, in this kind of setting, was really strong and
upfront yet the grooves were so full of dance.

So you can imagine the joy I felt when I discovered that Mistura had
just released an album in January 2003. I literally rushed out to
get my copy and low and behold it now seems the band have reached an
even higher plain. Everything I had experienced with this band was
still there and more. All the tracks flow seemlessly from one to the
next as though taking you on a journey to another place. Pure
escapism! From glowing jazz funk to batucada processions to samba
jazz. Atmospheric jazz fusion, Amazonian rainforest inspirations and
partido alto sounds alla Tania Maria through to a climatic, true
club vibed sea of Brazilian and Latin sounds.

Of the seven tracks the final four are live and are certainly
generous in length. The players, whom I've noticed from my own
personal record collection and gigs I've seen, have worked with Dom
Um Romao, Airto, Eddie Palmieri, Incognito, Tito Puente, Red
Snapper, Lauryn Hill and Olodum. Players such as Rowland Sutherland
(flute), Richard Ajileye (percussion), Joe de Jesus (trombone),
Byron Wallen (trumpet), Fayyaz Virji (trombone) and Kevin Robinson
(trumpet, flugelhorn).

This album has a classic feel to it already in my view. If you like
your jazz filled with warmth and excitment with some tantalising
grooves I strongly recommend that you get your copy Now.