Mainstream British Fare

Another jazz album that was bought on an impulse when it appeared listed in a catalogue with only a small jazz section. Not an essential purchase by any means but solid mainstream British stuff on the whole. The album is by trumpeter Guy Barker and titled What Love Is ( as in the standard You Don't know What Love Is, sadly graced with a vocal by Sting on this occasion ) A bit alarming to have a recording featuring Sting I must admit but it is just the one track and easily overlooked. Guy Barker specialises in concept albums, the thought here being an attempt to recreate the partnership of Miles Davis and Gil Evans with Colin Towns providing the orchestral arrangements played by the London metropolitan Orchestra. Barker also used a core combo of piano, sax, bass and drums but he takes most of the solo duties himself on trumpet. The material includes standards like Mona Lisa and items by such as Ellington / Strayhorn and Sammy Cahn, as well as edgier stuff from Monk and Coleman and a smattering of originals. nothing ground breakingly outstanding but enjoyable listening if in a certain mood and if setting the player to bypass Sting.