Although all the members of this quartet can swing with authority, Arguelles has chosen in this record, like other young British players, to pursue an abstract reading of folk and blues music which is reminiscent of Keith Jarrett’s highly-strung folk-jazz-gospel amalgams of the late sixties and early seventies. The result is not always immediately attractive or approachable, but the strength of the players, especially chief soloists Arguelles and the remarkable Mike Walker (particularly so on Mix) does much to offset any shortfall in the repertoire department. So musical are this pair that they make fine sense of the most abstruse form and harmony.
Martin France plays in the loose, clattering manner (inspired perhaps by Paul Motian) which typifies this style, and guest star Steve Swallow provides an utterly reliable bass foundation, his role almost entirely supportive. Altogether, a superbly played, stimulating if not always pretty record which brings further confirmation that Arguelles minor, along with Tommy Smith, is one of the most effective of the generation of British saxophonists which emerged in the eighties.
Discography
Third Escapade; A Month In Tunisia; Sintra; Hix; Mr Mc; Which Way Out; First Escapade; 500 Broadway; Quietly Peeping Around Corners; Wessex (61.16)
Arguelles (ss, ts, bcl); Mike Walker (elg); Steve Swallow (elb); Martin France (d). London, May 13 & 14, 1995.
(Babel BDV 9503)
