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May 2007
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Empirical
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May 2007 gig reviews by Chris Parker
Empirical
Thursday 24 May
'Two
CD launches took place in the following week: Asaf Sirkis & the
Inner Noise played selections from their new album (see CD Reviews)
(Tuesday 22) and Empirical performed the same function
(Thursday 24).
Whereas the former gig was sparsely attended, though, the latter was packed, and that mysterious quality, the 'buzz' about a coming band, was much in evidence.
The aforesaid 'buzz' aided Empirical considerably, so their winningly tricksy originals received the concentrated attention they required for their full effect to be felt.
Their music, which alternates tellingly between the sweet, light, jaunty swing associated with Wynton Marsalis's small groups, occasional patches of strident freedom and intense explorations of space and texture, relies for much of its appeal on the clear rapport between alto player Nathaniel Facey and trumpeter Jay Phelps (both of whom compose), but in pianist Kit Downes they also have a thoughtful composer, so their future as an original band seems assured.
Their onstage demeanour, too, is refreshingly outgoing and communicative; their album is eagerly awaited.
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