Keving Figes has been a regular touring and recording artist
for years now, both leading his own quartets, trios and bossa nova groups, and
also contributing strong work to other players efforts. A well-known and highly
regarded name in his native Bristol, his long-time coming debut ‘Circular
Motion’ brilliantly showcases welcome evidence of a very long and enduring
musical journey.
Keen to possess substance but still be accessable,
‘Circular Motion’ highlights the strong yet different backgrounds of his work –
from his more free-style work recorded with Keith Tippett to his more funk-flavoured
live group playing, and makes sure to show all the little pockets of his
versatile musical personality.
‘Listless’ opens, with a strong and hooky saxophone
melody so identifiable and memorable it could easily make radio play, and
quickly became both Figes’ signature piece and a live favourite. ‘Song For
Sometime’ elsewhere offers its bandleader a lovely slight-gospel ballad, and another
Figes live staple ‘The Grind’ gives us a suitably swinging funk.
It isn’t just himself he provides for though. Aware of
the superb musicians he has with him, plenty of space to shine is given to
considerably talented local Bristol star Jim Blomfield on piano who more than
gets into the complex rhythms and juicy changes in each piece (‘Sevenup’ is a
highlight), and sadly serves to remind us of Blomfield’s own slim discography.
The strong self-written compositions are also given
subtle but strong support by bassist Riaan Vosloo and drummer Tim Giles, while
the one single cover here is the final track, a take on a piece by Figes’ much
admired Wayne Shorter. ‘Lester Left Town’ originally recorded by Shorter whilst
with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers was his tribute to the then recently passed
master tenor Lester Young., and Figes own take on alto saxophone is no less
moving, or inspired.
Much like his playing and writing influences of
Shorter and also Dave Holland, the music here has a lightness of touch that gently
holds the subtle and complex compositions underneath. The effect overall is a
set of lively and widely varied yet cohesive music from a band that repeatedly
deliver a stomping live show. A skilled and impassioned debut, it also achieves
the valuable trick of making you want more just as it finishes.
****
