OLIVER POSPIECH'S SMALL BIG BAND
COOL BLUE
Those of you who are more aware may just have found this exquisite CD from Germany. It has been available for a while but I feel that a little more of a push is deserved. Oliver Pospiech is a young valve trombonist, band leader, record producer and arranger. Well he is now, this is his debut CD. What is a small big band ? Well it is a rhythm section and five wind instruments i.e.trumpet, alto-tenor, baritone and trombone.
The writing here is very imaginative, giving plenty of solo space to the performers as well as providing more than short ensemble jumping off points for the next solo. The ensemble passages are beautifully constructed, whether providing a backdrop for the soloist or exploring the lyrical qualities of the song. It isn't just the excellence of O.P., that reminds me of the new ROB MCCONNELL TENTET, it is the quality of the writing.
The Tracks:Soft Winds, Nostalgia, Sheep Coat Shuffle, Nuages, When Your Lover Has Gone, Everything I Love, The Man I Love, It Had To Be You, Cry Me River and Coastline.
The Musicians (from): Trumpet -Andy Jaderer, Alto -Oliver Leicht, tenor Nils Van Haften, Piano- Olaf Polziehn, Bass- John Goldsby, Vocals -Silvia Droste (two tracks). Trumpet solo Till Bronner. Many of the latter feature with the WDR Big Band.
The drummer: Jeff Hamilton, the band deserves the best. This is a highly recommended CD for those who have already bought the McConnell CD or perhaps Phil Norman's Tentet.