Live

Neil Cowley Trio: Ronnie Scotts 01/06/10

For composition, arrangements and charged with a degree of musical inventiveness, the Neil Cowley trio make for an inviting sonic palette. Cowley and co represent density and detail. Their sound has an imploding, visceral quality and it's very primal too. The hard work has paid off and the accolades are pouring in for this exciting outfit

I caught them on the second night of their stint at Ronnies and was quite frankly blown away, my good friend Herve and myself sat there with our mouths open as the sonorous flow poured out, poignant, firebrand tunes, showered in heavy fat chords and rhythmic complexities way beyond my ears, underpinned by the groovetastic Evan Jenkins, Cowley's propulsive foible who bounced off NC all night.

The set up at the club was different too. The band were placed towards the middle and it made for a much more intimate setting and visually exciting, drummer facing pianist with double bass player Richard Sadler bang in the middle as referee for this musical match of ping pong!

The intensity this trio are capable of is staggering to say the least,swathes and vast sheets of sound (that would make Phil Spector twitch) grab you by the shirt collar and kick the listener out of his comfort zone yet in the eye of this musical hurricane there is serenity and blissful beauty abound

It's hard trying to classify this curate's egg, the pigeon hole isn't big enough! Let's just say they rock rather than swing. The boys conjure up a complex harmonic colour, rock fully on a heady, rhythmic propulsion and finely crafted, sophisticated intricate compositions,that seep into the psyche like a fine single malt

'Radio Silence' is an absolute barnstormer of an album so it was great to hear several tunes from their Naim Jazz platter. "His Nibs" grooved like a mofo, the volcanic blasting chords rang out like a siren,such energising music with lock-tight conviction. 'Vice Skating' another superlative track with it's massive crescendoing ending was an absolute Joy, 'She Eats Flies" (dedicated to the spider at the bottom of his garden) shades of Schifrin and some very spidery tinkling on this peach of a tune too.

So summing up this talented threesome, I urge you to forget Viagra just get some NCT in your veins you'll soon be running around like a spring lamb. They are an inspirational spark that just continues to fly upwards bravo!
Words Emrys Baird