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Mark Lockheart

In Deep

Edition Records EDN1013

It's now more than a decade since saxophonist / composer Mark Lockheart revealed the depth and subtlety of his compositional gift with the Subtone album Through Rose-Coloured Glasses, for mid-size ensemble, and since then recordings under his own name have been relatively rare, and there is undoubtedly a considered, musicianly quality to his writing on this quintet album, on which he is joined by trumpeter Dave Priseman, pianist Liam Noble, bassist Jasper Høiby and drummer Dave Smith.

This rhythm section (with both of whom Vortex patrons will undoubtedly be familiar) infuses Lockheart's insistently memorable themes with drive and verve, Høiby limber, lithe and propulsive, Smith all crackling energy and rustling power, and the front-line soloists are all highly individual and accomplished – Noble pitching his pithy, vigorous contributions skilfully throughout, Priseman tasteful and restrained, Lockheart himself characteristically polished and elegant yet gutsy where required – but it is the sheer skill of Lockheart's deployment of his musical forces that impresses most on this consistently absorbing album.

The solos seem to bubble up naturally from the ensemble theme passages like springs from an underground source, Lockheart in particular (as he was justly celebrated for doing in Perfect Houseplants) judging the weight, tone and texture of his saxophone playing perfectly throughout. A rich and varied album, warmly recommended.