Role models abound. There is the power thrust of the World S.Q., the romping, hard-bop drive of the 29th Street S.Q., the idiosyncratic Rova S.Q. and the more straightahead New York S.Q., to name but a few. This British version ignores them all and produces a highly personal style that shows all four players in a very good light.
Unlike most of their rival quartets, the B.S.Q. does not use the baritone as the calibrating pulse provider. It takes its place alongside the others as a solo voice with equal freedoms. In fact, it is the licence that all are allowed and the greater employment of open, improvised counterpoint that makes this a saxophone quartet apart. The soloists are identified on the insert by the instruments they play and it would be invidious to pick a ‘best’. Dean’s bouncing alto, Dunmall’s keening soprano, Picard’s squally tenor and Haslem’s gruff baritone are all vital ingredients and this CD ensures that all are finely judged within the single (if collective) voice of the quartet.
Discography
Early October; Neologie Musicale; Time To Go Now (67.34)
Elton Dean (as/slo); Paul Dunmall (ss/ts); Simon Picard (ts); George Haslam (bar). Oxford, October 6, 1995
(Slam CD 216)
