Frame Of Reference sees Sean Foran stepping away from his regular musical partners in Australian trio Trichotomy, and instead he gathers a new set of British musicians to perform eight original pieces.  Accompanying Sean Foran (piano and Rhodes), are Stuart McCallum (guitars), Julian Arguelles (saxophones), Ben Davis (cello) and Joost Hendrickx (drums).  

Opening track Room With A View sets the style of the album with piano and cello alluding to a formal chamber music arrangement. When the rest of the group join in, the music softens and feels more jazzy.  There are a number of movements, repeating the theme but each with a different feel.  Some excellent solo’s from Argueles’ saxophone.

From here, the other seven tracks follow the same format, an opening theme followed by movements varying the theme and featuring solos by one or more of the players. This repeating format leads to a feeling of sameness between the pieces that leaves me a little uninspired.  My biggest criticism of the album is that it feels like it is set-up to provide a background to exhibit the virtuosity of the players, at the loss of the coherent sound and vitality of a ‘band’.  While the solos are excellent, the other players leave so much space that the background becomes repetitive - just not enough happening at the same time to give depth to the experience.

Frame of Reference is a good album with interesting themes and an unusual sound, varying between jazz and classical. There is plenty of opportunity for the players to solo, which they all do with great relish and aplomb