Cantilena (album)
Cantilena is the second album recorded by the British jazz quartet, First House. It was released by ECM. The album presents a studio performance of leader and saxophonist Ken Stubbs with Django Bates on piano, Mick Hutton on bass and Martin France on drums, recorded over 2 days in March, 1989 in Norway.
Cantilena | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1989 | |||
Recorded | March, 1989, Rainbow Studios Oslo | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 37:16 | |||
Label | ECM | |||
Producer | Manfred Eicher | |||
First House chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic |
Reception
Jazz commentator Richard Lehnert states "Well my first – and second and third-impressions of First House's cool, sculpted, heady music are of sustained fires of excitement, intelligence, and clarity. Live long and prosper, guys – you've charted another great, serious jazz album."[2]
Master saxophonist, David Liebman comments on how... "his (Stubbs's) playing is remarkably cliche free" and also states, "It is so refreshing to hear young musicians going for a group sound as their major goal.[3]
In Billboard Magazine, Jeff Levenson cites Ken Stubbs and Django Bates as examples of how "Great Britain's young turks have adopted him (John Coltrane) as a spiritual forebear.[4]
High Fidelity Magazine stated that, "The future of British jazz is in good hands with this acoustic quartet. The follow up to the well-received 'Eréndira', 'Cantilena' is a relaxed, free form set with classy performances all round but some particularly fine playing from Ken Stubbs on alto sax."[5]
Track listing
- "Cantilena" Ken Stubbs – 3:28
- "Underfelt" Django Bates – 4:52
- "Dimple" Django Bates – 3:51
- "Sweet Williams" Django Bates – 5:05
- "Low Down (Toytown)" Ken Stubbs – 3:28
- "Hollyhocks" Django Bates – 3:23
- "Madeleine After Prayer" Eddie Parker – 1:47
- "Shining Brightly" Ken Stubbs – 4:12
- "Jay-Tee" Django Bates – 3:55
- "Pablo" Ken Stubbs – 3:15
Personnel
- Ken Stubbs – alto and soprano saxophones
- Django Bates – piano, tenor horn
- Mick Hutton – double bass
- Martin France – percussion
- Manfred Eicher – producer
- Jan Erik Konshaug – engineer
- Dieter Rehm – design
References
- "Cantelina".
- Lehnert, Richard. Stereophile (USA). June 1990
- Liebman, David. Saxophone Journal (USA). September/October 1990.
- Levenson, Jeff. Billboard (USA). April 14, 1990.
- High Fidelity). February 1990