Record Reviews

NEIL CHARLES ~ DARK DAYS JAZZ NOW 04 (Barcode: 5060774190944) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is a live album by British bassist / composer Neil CharlesFind albums by this artist, recorded at the famous London’s Café Oto, with drummer Mark SandersFind albums by this artist, pianist Pat ThomasFind albums by this artist and vocalist / loops manipulator Cleveland WatkinsFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, all of which were composed by Charles and include texts from the book “Dark Days” by American writer James BaldwinFind albums by this artist. The music, although based on some pre-composed themes, seems to be mostly freely improvised, with familiar Blues undercurrents here and there. The instrumental trio work is often hectic and lacks a conceptual continuity, which makes listening to the album quite a challenge. There are many extensive bass solos, which might be technically impressive, but contribute little to the musical message. As to the vocal contributions, which are somewhere between singing and reciting, and are the most solid delivery herein, but sadly are not able to deliver any of the messages of Baldwin’s prose, especially to a listener not familiar with his writings. The live performance might have been a fascinating event for the listeners, but is a struggle to listen to on record, without seeing the musicians on stage and the club atmosphere supporting the emotional involvement. Of course these are my very personal impressions, and other people might find this album fascinating, buy I simply don’t get it, which is very strange since I do love most Jazz and Poetry and Jazz and Literature events / recordings. I have no idea why this does not speak to me. Overall, this is a document of a very unusual performance, radical and unconventional, which pays tribute to a great writer and Civil Rights warrior, but somehow fails to grab me. Perhaps I have enough of depressing stuff on my mind at the moment, as is. The Jazz NowFind albums on this label label documents the contemporary Jazz scene in Britain, and does a splendid job, so please keep up the great job!

Updated: 19/09/2025Posted: 19/09/2025

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