Phil Seamen: The Late Great Phil Seamen Vol. 2
It has taken 17 years for volume two of the Late Great Phil Seamen to emerge, so it is understandable if interested readers have forgotten the release of the original compilation. The music covers a period between 1956 and 1961 – the opening track coming from 1972, where he introduces us to his current drum kit, a short time before his untimely death at the age of 46.
There is no argument that Seamen was the outstanding British drummer of his generation, displaying a technique based on listening to many leading percussionists from across the pond, enhanced by his own innate approach to the rhythmic art. The only thing that got in the way of his career was his addiction to heroin, replaced in later years by barbiturates.
These 17 tracks find him in various settings where for the most part his authority is evident – from the trio of Stan Tracey to big bands led by Harry South, Victor Feldman and Tubby Hayes. The slightly exotic tracks are supplied by Don Carlos Y Su Orquesta, led from the piano by DC but sporting arrangements by Kenny Graham, who is also represented by tracks from his own bands the Satellites and Afro Cubans. There are four tunes from this Latin outfit, saved from being given the “easy listening” tag by some decent solos and incisive percussion. The Phil Seamen Quintet from 1956 is represented by a slightly clunky but adventurous Manteca Suite with the leader fulfilling the Chano Pozo role on the original version.
Straight Lines, a Joe Harriott original performed by his own revered quintet in 1960, is close to being the best track on the compilation, illustrating how at home Seamen could be in a slightly off-centre performance, quite innovative for the British scene of the time.
Apart from a fitting tribute to the skills of a wonderful drummer this release represents a snapshot of the local product starting to come of age.
Discography
Now I Have A Kit…; Manteca Suite; Sunbeam; Fog On The Hudson; Sunstroke; Tangerine; Chu-Chin-Cha-Cha-Cha; Lil’ Pony; Maenya; Li’ Ol’ Pottsville; We’ll Call You; Straight Lines; Harry Flicks; Southern Suite Part II; Cuban Fantasy; Beats In The Belfry; Sunset (66.20)
Seamen (d, pc) with various line-ups including Kenny Graham & His Satellites, the Stan Tracey Trio, Tubby Hayes Orchestra and Don Carlos Y Su Orquesta. England, 1955-1972.
SWP Records AWP 074
Colin Heshmat: Elastic Groove
This is pianist Colin Heshmat’s studio recording debut where he unveils eight of his own compositions backed up by three well-worn titles in Just Friends, Blue Bossa and Cantaloupe Island. He has been based in New York since 2019 and all the originals are said to be inspired by his experiences in that city. The music is best described as post-bop, the quartet following some familiar paths but achieving a welcome freshness not always present on similar sessions.
The leader claims to be influenced by a whole raft of name pianists, without sounding like anyone in particular, even though the ghost of McCoy Tyner rears its head on occasion. He is a crisp but lively performer who is able to convince us of his qualities, whether rolling out single-note runs, delivering percussive injections or dropping in some appropriate blue notes.
His compatriots evoke all the professional aspects we have come to expect from the NY milieu, steeped in the modernistic language which is food and drink to contemporary jazz musicians. In short a session that at the very least is worth dipping into.
Discography
Sea Breeze; Corner Spot; Elastic Groove; Centre Street Theme I; Centre Street Scene II; Ember; Morning In Midtown; Just Friends; Blue Bossa; Systems; Cantaloupe Island (58.44)
Heshmat (p); Ben Clines (d); Ryo Sasaki (t); Yuma Takagi (b). NYC 2026.
HMC Records
Shane Sato: Wavelength
This is LA-based multi-instrumentalist Shane Sato’s second album, described in the press release as “an amalgamation of jazz, indie R&B and soul at its finest” and clearly aimed at young music enthusiasts. The short playing time is also indicative of the audience this kind of fusion is aimed at. Your reviewer is sad to report that he found nothing of any great substance spread over the 11 tunes, which offer hardly any jazz of note, precious little R&B in the accepted sense and a group of collaborating artists bringing very little soul to the table. Of the latter only the British singer Reuben James rang any kind of bells with this writer. Clearly one for the streaming generation!
Discography
Wavelength (Intro); Never Let You Go; Deep Dive; Surfliner; Cross Fade; Drift; You Are Loved; Santa Fe Peanut Co.; Nods; Clouds; Pulse (27.19)
Sato (various instruments) and others. 2026.
Mixto Records MR011
