It’s not every day a big band album comes along. Each time it does it is more than simply any old release it is something special given the feat of organising this takes. Flautist Lockrane stood out at a Hawk’s Well, Sligo concert in the summer and in recent years I liked his work with James Taylor of JTQ renown. Box of Tricks isn’t afraid to swing, isn’t afraid to groove and sits well with what leading big bands in Europe like WDR Big Band often release. Organist Ross Stanley is notable on ‘All the People’ the album was produced by Lockrane, Ben Lamdin and Tom Richards (the saxist known for his work with Jamie Cullum).
Lockrane plays different flutes – you don’t often see or hear a bass flute which is part of his array of instruments here and adds to the palette of sound.
Box of Tricks is I believe Lockrane’s second big band album, following his 2017 debut, Fistfight At The Barn Dance. Standout soloists also include Pat Levett of the Allen Toussaint loving Coalminers renown on harmonica. The album was recorded in a single day. Unpretentious, spirited and immaculately crafted, Box of Tricks is in the marlbank top UK jazz list for the year.
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