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The UK collective Jazz Re:freshed has been hosting weekly live jams, curating festivals and releasing records from some of the brightest up and coming jazz based talents from across the pond since 2003. Artists such as Nubya Garcia, Richard Spaven and others have been showcased in their 5ive series and now their newest release comes from trombonist/composer Rosie Turton. Turton has been active as a member of the group Nerija, but here on her first solo offering, she displays an exciting mix of classic and forward-leaning sounds.
The EP opens with “The Unknown” as mellow trombone moans mix with rising percussion, piano runs, direct sax blows and angular violin offerings. Moving from smooth to powerful to challenging around the growing collective playing, “The Unknown” is a fantastic introductory track to Turton and company.
Joining her are the core band of Johanna Burnheart on violin, Maria Chiara Argirò on piano/wurlitzer, Twm Dylan on bass, and Jake Long on drums. The group lets the rhythm of Dylan’s bass lead the proceedings for the low end ready “The Purge” as instruments file in, adding to the theme, all rolling along before a triumphant shining conclusion. “Butterfly” is the group’s interpretation of the Herbie Hancock track as they strip out the electro-funk elements of the original and successfully distill it down to a smoother grooving vibe.
Luke Newman joins the players to add spoken word vocals to the album centerpiece “Stolen Ribs”. The track was influenced by Turton’s journeys to India as she brought back influences of the Yaman Raga and let her band bring it to life in their style. A slow building number “Stolen Ribs” acts more atmospheric, setting a sparse tone compared to Turton’s other driving tracks on the EP.
Closer “Orange Moon” adds small doses of electronics as Ben Hayes arrives on synthesizers, flirting with dynamics around the edges, but the song is truly the showcase for Turton herself to shine. She solos passionately as the bass bumps a head-bopping groove around her trombone’s steady flow and the twinkling piano runs.
These five strong offerings were recorded at Soup Studios in East London last year and demonstrate a group locked in and bubbling. For a debut offering the 5ive EP clearly shows that Rosie is ready for prime-time as Jazz Re:freshed continues their winning ways.
