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Kevin Figes Quartet

Circular Motion

Edition Records EDN 1002

‘Stuff that isn’t too impenetrable but has substance to its harmonies and rhythms … Circular Motion represents different aspects of my background, whether it’s playing freer things with Keith Tippett or the funk side of my playing’ ­ thus alto player Kevin Figes on his debut album, which also features pianist Jim Bloomfield, bassist Riaan Vosloo and drummer Tim Giles.

This is actually a perfect summing-up of the music, from the bright opener ‘Listless’, through the slightly gospelly ‘Song for Sometime’, the alternately freeish and swinging ‘Clutter’, the lightly funky ‘The Grind’ etc.

Figes is a gutsy but thoughtful saxophonist and a skilful composer with his eye always on the musical resources available to him, which in the case of Bloomfield in particular are considerable, whether he’s negotiating the tricksier time signatures (‘Sevenup’) or simply digging into the juicier changes provided by his leader ­ like Figes himself, he’s definitely a man to watch out for.

Overall, a lively, absorbing and attractively varied set from a fine band that should, given the evidence provided by this album, really deliver the goods live.