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Urban Theme Park

by Julian Siegel Quartet

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1.
Six Four 07:51
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2.
One For J.T. 08:14
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3.
Heart Song 06:48
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4.
Keys To The City 06:51
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5.
Game Of Cards 12:49
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6.
Lifeline 04:51
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7.
Interlude 07:07
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8.
Fantasy In D 06:48
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9.
Drone Job 06:28
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about

Julian Siegel’s latest album Urban Theme Park has been a long time coming, a follow-up to his last masterful quartet album ‘Close Up’, which received rave reviews. With the Guardian newspaper hailing a “leap forward”. The Times declaring that “the writing marks Siegel out as a cut above the legions of aspiring sax heavyweights” and the Birmingham Post noting that “the music which bursts from this disc makes the tried and trusted instrumentation and tradition sing anew”. The interim period has seen Siegel record equally powerful statements with both Partisans and his Anglo-American trio, as well as perform numerous festival and club shows with all of his bands. However, he felt that now was the time to record with his quartet again, and especially with inspirational pianist Liam Noble, a presence that Siegel feels vital to this project. Friends since 1991 (when Siegel first moved to London), the music here is very much written with Noble in mind, the pianists fluid touch and dazzling imagination perfectly complement Siegel’s music and playing, and with the powerhouse drummer Gene Calderazzo on board, fireworks are guaranteed. The newest member, bassist Oli Hayhurst rounds out the group perfectly; his deep groove dove-tailing wonderfully with Noble and Calderazzo in what is unquestionably one of the UK’s most dynamic and powerful quartets.

The music on Urban Theme Park echoes the freewheeling grooves of ‘70s Joe Henderson (a long time favourite of Siegel’s) and the hard bop of Cedar Walton's 'Eastern Rebellion' quartet, but this is music always rooted in a very London sensibility, incubated in Dalston and the streets and clubs of London. The music moves between electro-acoustic trance and joyful, burning, 'straight-ahead' abandon. There is a nod to Joe Zawinul on the way, an acoustic quartet playing early-electric Miles and a celebration of the pianist John Taylor's joyful harmonies and lines (One for J.T.). Throughout the recording Siegel and his colleagues play with listener’s expectations, from borrowings of form from Stravinsky's ballet music (Game of Cards) to twelve-tone saxophone rows over minimalist ‘New-Wave’ drones (Drone Job) and dancing West African drum grooves. A word too about the recording by Curtis Schwartz at his studio in Ardingly, not only does he have a full size American Steinway piano but his ability to really capture the music allows us to feel and hear the music as the musicians intended. Urban Theme Park then is a home for Siegel’s music and we all get to enjoy the ride!

credits

released April 18, 2011

Julian Siegel - Tenor and Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet
Liam Noble - Piano and Keyboards
Oli Hayhurst - Double Bass
Gene Caldarazzo - Drums

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Julian Siegel London, UK

Julian Siegel has been described by MOJO magazine as 'one of the UK's most creative saxophonists'. He is also a distinctive composer, arranger and bandleader. In addition to his own groups, he is also part of the ensemble Partisans.

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