Clark Tracey - Stability - The Observer

Think of a big name in contemporary British jazz - Guy Barker, Andy Sheppard, Tommy Smith etc - and the chances are you will find it listed on the cover of this CD. But this is not just an all-star jam session, far from it. Tracey has assembled one of the most varied and intriguing programmes imaginable, ranging from a roaring feature for drums, trumpet and five saxophones to the lone voice of Christine Tobin, accompanied by the Locrian String Quartet. There is also what I think must be his debut recording as a pianist - a nice, crunchy version of Ellington's Melancholia. Elsewhere, his drumming is as masterly as ever. The "regular" pianist is Gareth Williams whose reputation steadily and deservedly rises.