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Matthew Ruddick

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Author of Funny Valentine, an acclaimed new biography of the jazz trumpet player and singer, Chet Baker.
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Saturday, 03 March 2018 05:04

Wild Card - Life Stories

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Life Stories is the strongest, most cohesive album to date by Clement Regert and Wild Card.

Clement Regert’s Wild Card return with their fourth album, Life Stories, which is released on 3rd March. As with their previous album, Organic Riot (2015), it’s a seamless blend of jazz, funk and Latin, but it’s also the band’s most cohesive album to-date. In part, this reflects Regert’s strong , melodic compositions, which always impress, but it also reflects the fact that the band had been touring regularly, and with a more stable line-up, over the last couple of years. The core organ trio of guitarist Clement Regert, organist Andrew Noble and drummer Sophie Alloway remain in place, and they are joined by their regular horn section of Graeme Flowers (trumpet) and Denys Baptiste (tenor saxophone). The albums also features an array of other special guests including other regular members of the horn section, Jim Knight (alto saxophone) and Alistair White (trombone), who each feature on several tracks.

The album opens with Life Stories Intro, which has an acid jazz vibe, and features excerpts of a speech by Martin Luther King made about jazz. It’s a short, fun piece, which could serve as the ‘theme’ at the beginning or end of a set, as Miles used to do in the be-bop era. Better Remorse Than Regret follows, and begins with a gentle acoustic introduction by Regert, followed by a somewhat mournful theme by Graeme Flowers on trumpet. From there, the tune gathers pace, however, led by some sterling drumming by Sophie Alloway. There’s a fine solo by Denys Baptiste on tenor, with strong support from both Clement Regert on guitar and Andrew Noble on organ.

The Jagger/Richards classic Paint It Black is boldly reimagined and re-arranged by Regert for the organ trio and horn section. It also features a synthesizer solo by Carl Hudson (Incognito), another brave move, given the status of the original. The star of the show, however, is guest vocalist Mary Pearce, who has sung backing for the likes of Chaka Khan, and delivers a soulful vocal.

La Parentese Enchantee has more of a Latin flavour, and sees Regert return to acoustic guitar. He plays a delightful solo, before handing over to Jim Knight on alto. The horn arrangement on this track is also worth noting. Beat The Beast is one of the life stories referred to by the album title, and was composed when Regert’s former partner, and mother of his two children, was diagnosed with leukemia. Despite the diagnosis, it’s an upbeat, funky tune – “my fighting song”, as the guitarist explained. Regert delivers some harder, funky electric guitar, and there’s another fine solo by Jim Knight on alto saxophone.

It’s hard not to be moved by Mommy Is In The Sky, Regert’s heartfelt tribute to Alexis Corker, who passed away in the summer of 2016 – just one year after her initial diagnosis. Mary Pearce delivers the sad lyrics with warmth and grace, and there’s a delightful solo by Denys Baptiste. Risky Business lifts the mood with its playful feel, composed after an eventful scooter ride in the snow – which seems quite topical, after the recent snowfall across the UK. It features South African-born Adam Glasser on harmonica, who lends the tune a somewhat southern European vibe.

Bravid was written for fine Australian pianist and composer, David Dower – and is based on a play-on-words combining David Dower and Brad Mehldau. It’s a fun, organ-led number, which again demonstrates a fine arrangement for the horns. Another Brick In The Wall is the only other cover version on the album, and has been a feature of the band’s live set for some time. A horn section feels like it shouldn’t work on this tune – but it does – with Graeme Flowers impressing on trumpet, as always.

Maybe…Maybe Not, another Regert original, brings the album to a swinging close, but there’s still time for a bonus track, the organ-led Herman’s Hoedown, which was composed by Andrew Noble.

Life Stories sounds more like a band album than Organic Riot, which arguably featured too many guests who do not play with the band on a regular basis. The new album feels more organic, ironically, and this is helped by the fact that it was recorded live in the studio, with minimal overdubs. It’s Regert and Wild Card’s strongest statement yet, and we look forward to hearing more of the guitarist’s Life Stories in the years to come.

 

Read 2823 times Last modified on Saturday, 03 March 2018 13:17

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