Rob Cope - Gemini (2024) [Official Digital Download]

The number two features prominently in the concept behind this album. The album is called Gemini, meaning twins or two. It features two saxophones, it is Rob Cope's second album as leader and combines two existing duos.

The first of those duos features the soprano saxophone and bass clarinet of Cope together with the tenor saxophone of Andy Scott UK. They combine their contemporary classical and improvisational styles in Scott's Group S (previously known as SaxAssault). Scott also provides his distinctive voice on the saxophone to numerous compositional projects. Cope, classically trained before he went on to study jazz, has performed with the Halle and the English Symphony Orchestras as well as the Matthew Herbert Big Band. This album follows on from his debut album, Gods of Apollo (Ubuntu, 2019), (see review).

The second duo consists of two leading members of the British jazz scene, pianist Liam Noble and drummer Paul Clarvis. Noble is an experienced and versatile improviser; his distinctly economic style is at home in a variety of settings. Clarvis, a subtle interpreter of rhythms, is equally adaptable and has an impressive roster of soundtrack work behind him including Lord Of The Rings, Batman and Star Wars. The two recently combined with folksinger Cathy Jordan on the album Freight Train (Village Life, 2023).

The album consists of 12 tracks, all composed by Cope, that vary in length from over four minutes to just over a minute. Opening track, "Voices," opens with bass clarinet and tenor saxophone and it is immediately apparent that Cope and Scott are well-rehearsed. Their combinations neatly weave together, before Noble and Clarvis cut across the melody. "Together" finds the two saxophones playing in union with tight patterns and timing, before broaching their own path. The title track again finds the saxophones interweaving before moving into an improvisation. "Up" brings a Latin carnival melody enhanced with neat piano from Noble and clever rhythms from Clarvis.

TRACKLIST

1. Rob Cope - Voices
2. Rob Cope - Together
3. Rob Cope - Gemini
4. Rob Cope - Up
5. Rob Cope - Across
6. Rob Cope - Water
7. Rob Cope - The Dance
8. Rob Cope - Rain
9. Rob Cope - Laika
10. Rob Cope - Little Glass Box
11. Rob Cope - Punch
12. Rob Cope - Generations



Thanks to the Original customer.