Brighton-based Hill Collective takes from a wide range of influences, from big-band ensemble playing to free-form interludes. For those who like reference points, imagine The Arkestra meets Breuker’s Kollektief.
From the off it’s clear that the spirit of Ra is close, as the spoken message of Understanding states its cosmic aim, a heavily percussive bedrock for a series of solos, before Luke Congdon’s piano grabs it by the collar and shakes it. And just as you start to get the idea, up jumps Value Of Novelty, a strangely jaunty interlude led by flute which suddenly degenerates into a free-for-all but soon enough reverts back.
Conventional arrangements are used, but with sharply contrasting sections. There are elements of tongue-in-cheek humour, flurries of improvisation and passages of straightahead playing throughout the album, one going into another. Harp, tenor, growling trombone and trumpet all feature on the loosely attractive Dogma Loves You, whilst Health And Virtue starts with overtones of Ellingtonia until Pete Piskov’s alto squirms through a few bars, taking it into other areas. A minor quibble might be that the solos tend to be too brief, not fully extended enough. I’d like to hear more from Will Roberts’ trombone, which gets something of a work-out on Fear And Transcendence.
There are several vocal passages where spoken word is incorporated, often inaudibly, then chanting, Ra-like, on Fear And Transcendence and a full-blown choir on sections of Duality. I felt this less convincing than A Joyous Sound, with its direct, full-blown contributions from the horns. An enjoyable album though, and an indication that a live performance would be well worth seeing.
Discography
Understanding; The Value Of Novelty; Health And Virtue; Answer To Two Questions; Dogma Loves You; Duality; Fear And Transcendence; A Joyous Sound (46.16)
Phil Smith (t); Will Roberts (tb); Pete Piskov (as, f); Luke Congdon (p); Jojo Circle (hp); Federico Micheli (b); Joe Edwards (d); Sudhi S Pooniyil (pc); Grand Unison Choir (v). Church Road Studios, London, 2024
Fin Du Monde RU 352098
