Review

Tristan Banks: View From Above

Ubuntu open their account with Banks and it looks like his dividends are about to pay off. He’s an explosive drummer/composer and a great addition to their roster which includes the cream of UK jazz.

Banks joins the ranks of Quentin Collins, Brandon Allen, Andrew McCormack, Benjamin Croft and many others. This guy will nestle into the fold nicely with this teaser of a single from his debut album, which is due out in the spring.

Joining Banks are his long-standing musical friends Paul Booth on tenor and bass clarinet, John Crawford on piano and Davide Mantovani on double bass.

"View From Above" starts off with a spidery head which is adorned with thick and resounding bass clarinet as Banks kicks out a Latin funk groove whilst simultaneously picking the tune-up by the scruff of the neck and giving it a kicking. It segues beautifully into a roaring samba that unleashes Booth’s muscular tenor solo and the motoric velocity of the said drummer.

Bolstered by Mantovani’s measured bass playing and Crawford’s deft piano touch it allows the main man to fly. It is a triumphant piece of work that allows Banks to take you by the hand and welcome you into an intimate gathering of in-flight, top-flight musicians.
Words Emrys Baird