.J/VX ISLKYJAZZFESTWML
' I I V!“
Various venues, Islay, Fri 10-1 2 Sep
: \w‘ ' ' “‘ ~
Cathie Rae, Konrad Wiszniewski, McKenzie Medbae and Jesse Davis all head for Islay
The Islay Jazz Festival has been one of the surprise successes on the Scottish jazz circuit. Islay was not an obvious place to launch such an event, and it represented a considerable act of faith on the part of both Assembly Direct and the local organisers when they took the plunge six years ago, with the enabling help of sponsorship from the makers of the locally-distilled Black Bottle whisky.
The festival struck an immediate chord with both locals and those who made the trip across to the island. Improvised venues were pressed into service, and where else can you attend a jazz concert in a lighthouse or an RSPB bird hide? Local halls, pubs, hotels and the Bunnahabhain Distillery all host events, and the programming has grown in scope and stature over the six festivals.
Artists have been drawn mainly from the Scottish jazz scene, augmented by a guest or two from further afield. That is the formula again this year, with American saxophonists Donny McCaslin and Jesse Davis joining the home-based talents on the bill. Both will play their own gigs, and will also join the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in the bill-topping Saturday night concert at Ramsay Hall.
The programme reflects a wide range of styles and status. At one end of the spectrum, young turks like Konrad Wiszniewski and the Les Ecossais quintet fly the flag for the next generation, while at the other the likes of Tam White and the Scottish Jazz All Stars bring decades of experience to the stage.
Other highlights certainly include saxophonist Laura MacDonald, who is featured both playing Cole Porter and in her exciting Quintet with Ryan Quigley, and the Julian Argijelles Trio (breaking news is that the saxophonist has just left the Colin Steele Quintet, where his place will be taken by Michael Buckley). Singer Cathie Rae is a popular visitor here, and the sax-guitar duo McKenzie Medboe will add their own flavour to the mix. Throw in some blues, a slice of hot salsa, and lslay’s distinctive ambience, and all the ingredients are in place for another memorable weekend. (Kenny Mathieson)
This issue: Aberfeldy
There’s too much testosterone in indie music these days. I require something with a bit more sensitivity. Something in touch with its feminine side. Meet Aberfeldy.
Who they?
According to the press release. they're a collaboration of like— minded folk who met in Edinburgh's pubs and cafes and who share an appreCiation fOr making great Choral pop muSic. What else does your easily- quoted press release tell you? Named after a small Scottish coastal holiday town, Aberfeldy make muSic . . .
Hang on, Aberfeldy isn’t on the coast, it’s away up in the Perthshire hills, isn’t it? These people need a geography lesson.
Don‘t be so pedantic. Count
Aberfeldy are Mac but no coke
yOurseIf lucky they didn't call themselves Achiltibuie Or Tighnabruaich, ferchrissakes.
OK, what are they like?
Well an obvious comparison is Belle and Sebastian. but the fivesome have a whiff mOre country about their tunes. although
twee SOunds and sweet boy—girl harmonies are in abundance. There is also something slightly retro and yankified ab0ut ‘em, like a Vintage Fleetwood Mac sans cocaine.
Sound braw. Where can I get me some?
Debut album, YOU/lg Forever. is just Out in ROugh Trade. It's almost worth buying fer the Cover alone. a hilarious depiction of two lions mating. It also has great song titles like 'Vegetarian Restaurant and the Single ‘Heliopolis By Night”. ‘Heliopolis By Night’? Rings a vague bell.
Yeah. it was Originally released by singer Riley Briggs' pre‘xiOus band. the awesome prog rock madness that was Firestone: Legend of the Hawk.
Prog? Sounds like we’re back in testosterone valley . . .
It does. doesn't it? Sorry.
(Doug Johnstonel
I Nice'n'S/eazy. Fri 70 Sep.
Music
ll
away
O (/5 CD CD
JIMI TENOR
1 He thinks outside the box No one could acouse this Finnish lax: ironisl of COnfOrinity. HaVing changed his name from the lobxiouslyi uncooi Lassi Lehlo. his current moniker indicates his favourite instrument. the tenor sax. and his lobvious’h doppleganger Jimmy Osmond. A Tenor clothing line, described by the man himself as everyday clothes With little unique details' lS just one more facet of an unconventional mini-empire.
2 His band, Rhythm Taxi, are great Berlin reSidents Rhythm TaXl put the rocket up the Tenor s0und on the new album. With afro-beats and improvised dirty WOrds. With them on board for this show. it should be a spectacle if nothing else.
:3 His biography rocks A potted Tenor histOry makes fer entertaining reading. Between 1989 and 1992. he made four hardcore industrial albums With Finnish collective the Shamans. His next career step involved taking souvenir photographs atop the Empire State Building to support himself as an artist. Steve Beckett of Warp records later Signed him to the leftfield label after Witnessing TenOr stroking a piece of meat on stage on a European Club tour. His latest release. Beyond the Stars. on the fabulous Kitty-Yo record label, is as difficult to define as anything from his preVious catalogue. It‘s not exactly Ocean Colour Scene. put it that way. 4 He’s a modern-day composer with balls Tenor worked with the 60- piece Orchestra of the Grand Theatre Lodz in Poland to get the sound he wanted on his 2000 Out of Nowhere album. Rumour has it that the experience was somewhat traumatising for Tenor, who took on the challenge deSpite never haying scored any mUSic before. He got through it by thinking of each mu3ical suite and movement like storyboards from movies. The resultant work wasn't bad for someone With no prior understanding of instrumental range. 5 His new material is pure bliss The title track from Beyond the Stars just might be the happiest. most aurally pleasurable song of the year. Why not try it out live?
(Johnny Began)
l The Arches, Glasgow
Thu 76 Sep.
9—23 Set. 2231‘. THE LIST 51