Review

Adrian Gibson: Music For Jazz Dancers (Freestyle Records)

Music for Jazz Dancers' is a selection of hot tunes taken directly from DJ Adrian Gibsons' sets at 'Messin' Around', the club he has been running for 14 years with DJ Perry Louis.

The first thing you notice about this bumper album is the rather stylish design given the Blue Note treatment to obviously denote the sheer class that fills this swinging platter.

The big band sounds of Peter Herbolzheimer kick off 'Cherokee' at a furious pace aided by the silky and majestic jazz diva herself, Dianne Reeves who shines in this bebop delight, storming! The pace continues with pianist Mario Canonge on a latino fusion jazz giant of a tune called 'Kon Djab Djigidi' displaying his veritable piano skills and a bass solo to die for! Fernando Gelbard is up next with a two chord see sawing swinger entitled 'Alevacolariea' his hot rhodes drive this scorcher and masterful sax along with glorious congas add to the magic.

You can tell the love on this album and the absolute joy Gibson had in compiling this dance floor gem. It just doesn't let up, vital jazz that positively drips with rawness and excitement, big bands, speedy sambas and modal madness, boldness so rare which leaves most albums on the pile sounding bland and anaemic. Now where's my plus fours, brogues and golfing cap!
Words Emrys Baird