This is a vital and vibrant seven-piece band from Oxfordshire. George Ricci composed and arranged the music and his solos on tenor, soprano and trumpet have plenty of bite and substance.
A Big Honk has an engaging melody line and thrusting solo from Hawkins, Dave Holdsworth and the leader.
Beyond The Bell, The Wave has a strong brass theme on part one and a warm, lyrical tenor solo from George on part two. The leader is an original voice on tenor, soprano and a host of other instruments not heard on this release. Sometimes he plays in an insinuating, buzzy manner rather like a hard bop version of Ben Webster for want of a better description.
Crisp, incisive swing and some deftly constructed solos form the ingredients of Six Fifty. Geoff Hawkins is a big-toned tenor man whose solos tend more towards free-jazz styling with the deployment of a wide range of tonal manipulations. George is contemporary in sound and approach although echoes of past masters like Webster, Lester Young and Stan Getz are always present in his solo work.
The whole band is very inventive, full of strong soloists and a driving rhythm section. Kelly Aiken’s smoky voice enlivens Lost And Found and demonstrates good control and warm jazz inflections.
This is a British band with a fresh conception of traditional forms and is strongly recommended, not least for the leader’s sensual tenor and soprano stylings.
Discography
(1) A Big Honk; Beyond The Bell, The Wave; Six Fifty; Lost And Found/Sarcophagus; Little Mystery; (2) Autumn Leaves; Three Songs For Dudu (Thoughts/ Thoughts Into Action/Thank You); I Can’t Get Started (66.52)
(1) Dave Holdsworth, Matt Holland (t/flh); Griff Griffiths (tb); Geoff Hawkins (ts); George Ricci (ts/ss); Adrian Hocking (b); Andy Goodchild (d); Kelly Aiken (v).
(2) Jez Cook (elg); Lol Coxhill (ss); Matt Holland (t/flh); Griff Griffiths (tb); George Hawkins (ts); George Ricci (ts/t); Adrian Hocking (elb); Martin Hart (d/pc). Oxfordshire, December 16 & 30, 1990.
(Slam CD 202)
