Philip Clouts Quartet
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Philip Clouts Quartet

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"Philip Clouts Quartet “Sennen Cove”"

Philip Clouts is perhaps best known as the pianist in Zubop, a band at the heart of the so-called 'world jazz' strand within the music that manifested itself from the 1980s onwards.

On this album, on which he is joined by fellow musical traveller (in this context it is important to distinguish between tourists and travellers), saxophonist Carlos Lopez-Real, bassist Alex Keen and drummer Paul Cavaciuti, Clouts has allowed the natural beauty of his home base, Charmouth in West Dorset, to inspire his ten compositions, but the actual music has roots in everything from South African township music (Clouts was born in South Africa), New Orleans funkiness, Afro-Cuban rhythms and post-bop jazz (M-Base saxophonist Steve Coleman particularly important here, his dry, slippery sound an obvious influence on Lopez-Real).

Like Clouts's previous trio recording (also involving Keen, but with Sean Randle on drums), appropriately entitled Direction South, Sennen Cove is bright and accessible yet contains enough subtlety to reward repeated exposure to its refreshing variety of rhythms, textures and moods.
- Chris Parker Vortex Jazz


"Philip Clouts Quartet “Sennen Cove”"

Philip Clouts is perhaps best known as the pianist in Zubop, a band at the heart of the so-called 'world jazz' strand within the music that manifested itself from the 1980s onwards.

On this album, on which he is joined by fellow musical traveller (in this context it is important to distinguish between tourists and travellers), saxophonist Carlos Lopez-Real, bassist Alex Keen and drummer Paul Cavaciuti, Clouts has allowed the natural beauty of his home base, Charmouth in West Dorset, to inspire his ten compositions, but the actual music has roots in everything from South African township music (Clouts was born in South Africa), New Orleans funkiness, Afro-Cuban rhythms and post-bop jazz (M-Base saxophonist Steve Coleman particularly important here, his dry, slippery sound an obvious influence on Lopez-Real).

Like Clouts's previous trio recording (also involving Keen, but with Sean Randle on drums), appropriately entitled Direction South, Sennen Cove is bright and accessible yet contains enough subtlety to reward repeated exposure to its refreshing variety of rhythms, textures and moods.
- Chris Parker Vortex Jazz


"Philip Clouts Quartet @ New Hartley Memorial Hall. October 20"

This appearance found the band in fine form, in the groove with the material…Lopez-Real’s authoritative alto flew way beyond bop. The closing number of the first set - Egypt - roamed across the land of the pharaohs before accelerating across the continent fuelled by a Desbruslais fusillade; relentless hi-hat, powerful press rolls, rim shots, the lot.

Clef Mona opened the second set with Lopez-Real on soprano sounding not unlike Garbarek or Garland. Clouts introduced a new tune, so new it was without a title. It had a distinct gospel feel as the quartet soloed in turn. If Clouts had said it had been written by Dr Billy Taylor few would have doubted him.

The band let rip on Riptide, first alto, then piano as the rhythm section conspired to affect a drum ‘n’ bass intervention. Clouts returned to the CD, released on Point Records, to end an enjoyable set with Commotion in C. Township jazz in Northumberland! Such is the global reach of great music.
- Bebop Spoken Here


"Philip Clouts Quartet - Sennen Cove"

Released on Point Records, the Philip Clouts Quartet's Sennen Cove follows on from pianist Clouts' previous trio album, with which it shares bassist Alex Keen. The rhythm section is completed by drummer Paul Cavaciuti. Both latter players have a list of respectible credits, and of course Philip Clouts hardly needs any introduction and has been principally known as a member of Afrobeat band Zubop Gambia, aka Zubop. Rounding off the quartet is saxman Carlos Lopez-Real, best known as a member of the F-IRE collective.
Clouts' distinctive style is principally informed by Afro-Latin jazz, the vivacious grooves of West African Afrobeat and the vibrant music of South Africa, where he was born, although he grew up in Britain. His inspiration is the coastal area of the English South West, where he has lived in recent years. A most inspirational area indeed with a fascinating landscape. The ten originals that make up Sennen Cove reflect all these influences and inspirations in a subtle, pleasant blend of jazz, funk and world music.
It should, however, be noted that apart from the two ballads on this album and the closer, the dominant style of this delightful album is a mostly gentle Afro-Latin one, with some excellent grooves that have Clouts swinging exquisitely. The closer, Commotion in C, is easily the most infectious piece on this highly infectious album and wonderfully reflects the vibrancy of the music of South Africa's townships.
Sennen Cove is a lively and mature delight, driven by a very lively, even vigorous rhythm section that perfectly complements Philip Clouts' exuberant and highly rhythmic piano and Carlos Lopez-Real's lively, fluid yet cool sax. Their excellent playing and inspired improvs make Sennen Cove a joy, exuberant yet laid back, and above all, highly accessible. This is good, solid jazz that is easily recognisable as such.
Clouts' compositions are strong and mature and always hold the interest. The jazz, funk and world music blend works well, and the overall up-beat nature of the album helps make it as enjoyable as it indeed is.
Consistent throughout and compelling, Sennen Cove is a pleasurable experience, and with its (predominantly) latin grooves works unusually well for a UK based band. Above all though perhaps it is Clouts' outstanding piano that makes this album irresistible.
The Philip Clout Quartet's Sennen Cove clearly should be essential in any good comprehensive contemporary jazz collection. I'll certainly look forward to hopefully catching them at a gig sometime soon.

- Mike Gerber


"Philip Clouts Quartet “Sennen Cove”"

Pianist Philip Clouts is an unusual figure on the UK jazz scene, a nationally known musician who has chosen not to base himself in London. Clouts now lives in rural Dorset and his new album is in part inspired by the beauty of the coastline of South West England.

Born in South Africa Clouts has lived in the UK since early childhood but elements of Africa still permeate his music. Clouts is probably best known for his work with the long running band Zubop a popular London based jazz/roots combo with a particular affinity for the music of Gambia. The group made a series of enjoyable albums for the 33 Records label and I remember seeing and enjoying them live back in the day (Ludlow Assembly Rooms, 30th January 2003). I wonder if Philip still remembers that one.

Clouts was always one of Zubop’s main writers and his compositional skills come to the fore on this new quartet record which comprises of ten original compositions. The mood is often joyous and celebratory and Clouts has assembled a fine band to bring his pieces to life. Saxophonist Carlos Lopez-Real, a member of the F-ire Collective, attracted considerable praise last year for his own début album “Mandorla” (see review elsewhere on this site) and the quartet is completed by bassist Alex Keen and the experienced drummer Paul Cavacuiti. These last two have an impressive list of credits including work with Jim Mullen and Tim Whitehead (Keen) and Dave O’Higgins, Steve Williamson, Jonathan Gee and David Gordon (Cavacuiti). Both rhythm players have worked with saxophonist Theo Travis, a composer who, like Clouts, often brings a cinematic quality to his work with compositions inspired by locations or nature.

“Sennen Cove” is the natural successor to Clouts’ earlier trio album “Direction South”. The new album was recorded at Derek Nash’s studio and the indefatigable Nash brings his customarily excellent engineering skills to the date helping to give “Sennen Cove” a clean, crisp sound throughout. Also making an important contribution is Jazzwise Magazine’s Selwyn Harris who has contributed an informative set of liner notes that I’ll attempt not to paraphrase too closely here.

The album takes off with “Bird’s Word”, a nod not only to Charlie Parker but also to the avian life of the South West coast. It’s celebratory in tone with a rootsy, funky groove that Clouts admits to basing on the early compositional style of the young Keith Jarrett. I’ll go with that, there’s something of the joie de vivre of “The Windup” here with enjoyable solos coming from Clouts and Lopez-Real as Keen and Cavacuiti lay down the beat.

“Dizzard Point” (in North Cornwall, incidentally) ranges more widely as Clouts’ attempts to express the “different moods of the ever changing coastline”. It’s still pretty funky though with a strong theme that frames expansive, joyous solos from Clouts and Lopez-Real.

“Three For May” relaxes the pace, breezy and ballad like it conveys something of the mood of an early summer’s day. Clouts’ piano ripples gently in the upper registers and Lopez-Real’s airy alto also captures the air of balmy optimism.

The upbeat mood continues throughout the samba “Aqua Glide” with Lopez-Real’s sax gliding above the busy, chattering undertow of Cavacuit’s drums. Clouts also solos impressively, the notes just tumbling out of him and Cavacuiti enjoys an extended drum break.

“Deco” harks back to the soul jazz of the Blue Note era with Lopez-Real blowing bluesy alto over a subtly funky bass and drum groove. Clouts’ own solo retains the funky edge but essentially this is a feature for the saxophonist.

Hitherto the mood has been resolutely upbeat but Clouts shows his versatility as a composer with the lovely “Nine Tales”, a gradually unfolding ballad with a gorgeous theme that features both Clouts and Lopez-Real at their most lyrical, sympathetically supported by an equally adaptable rhythm section. Keen is given a brief moment in the limelight with a beautifully resonant bass solo.

“Quicksilver” has a Latin vibe with Lopez-Real’s suitably mercurial sax followed by Clouts sprightly piano leading into a playful percussion feature for Cavacuiti. Keen’s fat, slippery bass grooves anchor it all together.

“Arle Mill” is inspired by the tranquillity of a water mill in Hampshire. It’s effectively the album’s second ballad and retains a pastoral air throughout with Clouts’ piano suitably flowing on some of his best playing to date. This is the only trio performance on the album and Keen also features as a soloist.

“Sennen Cove” (Cornwall again) is lively and bubbly with Lopez-Real’s alto fairly flying above Keen’s fat bass grooves and Cavacuiti’s neatly energetic drumming. There’s almost a Cuban feel to Clouts’ solo, the world music elements on the album perhaps a legacy of his long tenure with Zubop. Lopez-Real’s involvement with the similarly inclined F-ire Collective may also be a factor.

Clouts brings his past and present together on th - Ian Mann thejazzman.com


"Philip Clouts Quartet: Sennen Cove"

As someone who spent a lot of time in South Africa, probably more than Clouts, who was born there, I still respond to that African attitude to jazz that has always permeated his piano playing. He makes jazz that is happy to cross-pollinate with other world musics, whether African or Latin, and jazz that embraces good times while still taking its art seriously.

Now living on the coast of South West England and taking inspiration from his surroundings, which might not match the Cape’s grandeur but do at least have surfers off-shore, Clouts has written lots of new songs played here by the pianist with Carlos Lopez-Real on saxophones, Alex Keen on bass and Paul Cavaciuti on drums.

The tunes wear their complexities lightly, and they are naturals for improvisation. The Latin kick-beat of Aqua Glide really does call to mind the exhilaration of catching a wave, while Deco features Carlos-Real digging deep. Quicksilver has a certain funkiness with Cavaciuti’s cowbell pulse again adding a Latin feel.

The title track flows and eddies gracefully, while Clouts saves his South African groove for the final tune, Commotion in C.
- thejazzbreakfast.com (peter bacon)


"Philip Clouts Quartet: Sennen Cove"

As someone who spent a lot of time in South Africa, probably more than Clouts, who was born there, I still respond to that African attitude to jazz that has always permeated his piano playing. He makes jazz that is happy to cross-pollinate with other world musics, whether African or Latin, and jazz that embraces good times while still taking its art seriously.

Now living on the coast of South West England and taking inspiration from his surroundings, which might not match the Cape’s grandeur but do at least have surfers off-shore, Clouts has written lots of new songs played here by the pianist with Carlos Lopez-Real on saxophones, Alex Keen on bass and Paul Cavaciuti on drums.

The tunes wear their complexities lightly, and they are naturals for improvisation. The Latin kick-beat of Aqua Glide really does call to mind the exhilaration of catching a wave, while Deco features Carlos-Real digging deep. Quicksilver has a certain funkiness with Cavaciuti’s cowbell pulse again adding a Latin feel.

The title track flows and eddies gracefully, while Clouts saves his South African groove for the final tune, Commotion in C.
- thejazzbreakfast.com (peter bacon)


Discography

Sennen Cove 2010
The Hour of Pearl (to be released October 2013)

Photos

Bio

When pianist Philip Clouts began his collaboration with F-IRE collective saxophonist Carlos Lopez-Real in 2008 sparks flew and a formidable new unit was born. Clouts is steeped both in the music of his native South Africa and in a diverse range of world musics which he has explored to critical acclaim with his larger outfit ZubopGambia; he draws on a wide range of compositional areas, challenging musical boundaries. Lopez-Real has developed a ground breaking solo voice which builds on the work of M-Base founder Steve Coleman and maverick genius Dave Liebman, who himself has said of Carlos “he plays with a sound that comes from his soul.”

The innovative music of this collaboration has been performed on two national tours supported by Jazz Services, and the CD “Sennen Cove” is released on Point Records. Clouts lives on the South West coast and the CD features melodic contemporary jazz pieces he has written inspired by the sights and sounds of the area while staying true to his own musical roots in African and Latin music. It has attracted airplay on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, UK Jazz Radio and Radio Bremen.

“Philip Clouts is an accomplished leader.” THE INDEPENDENT

“They cook up some nice, tricky rhythms to keep you alert, and control an impressive range of dynamics…Clouts makes the piano sound exactly right for each piece” THE OBSERVER

“Dorset’s coastline, added to Africa Latina flavours, inspires much attractive writing and cogent, punchy quartet playing” JAZZ UK

“Consummate musicianship” THE MUSICIAN

“Clouts swings with rhythmic deliberation and a crystal sense of phrasing. Saxophonist Lopez-Real shares Clouts’ inclusive, outgoing multi-cultural angle on jazz and leaves exuberant sounds ringing in your ears. The title track makes Sennen Cove sound like a place of fun as well as adventure with its Afro-Cuban lilt on this refreshing and most enjoyable album” JAZZWISE

“Bright and accessible yet contains enough subtlety to reward repeated exposure to its refreshing variety of rhythms, textures and moods” CHRIS PARKER

“Joyous and celebratory…wonderfully unfettered playing” IAN MANN

“Great playing, interesting compositions” RADIO BREMEN

PERSONNEL

• Philip Clouts (piano)

• Pianist and composer Philip Clouts has released 5 CDs on ‘33 Records’ with his jazz/world music project Zubop, praised in ‘The Observer’ as “optimistic, unpretentious and hugely accomplished.”

• This expanded into a collaboration with BBC World Music award winner Juldeh Camara and other Gambian master musicians in “ZubopGambia,” which has performed at Symphony Hall and Ronnie Scotts where fRoots magazine commented the ensemble “managed to raise Ronnie’s roof”.

• Philip composed pieces for jazz trio released on the CD “Direction South” for which Jazz Review complimented his “deft, lively, intensely rhythmic piano” and the Independent referred to him as “an accomplished leader.” He is now focussed on writing for quartet.

• Carlos Lopez-Real (saxophones)
• Carlos performs with Mandorla, and bands from the F-IRE collective, composing and arranging for the large ensemble. In recent years he has also played with Gary Husband, Tom Arthurs, Justin Quinn and John Mayer.
• ‘Lopez-Real set the pulses racing’ John Eyles, bbc.co.uk
• ‘He has a nice line in Lee Konitz smokiness but also its opposite, a raw and explosive multiphonics.’ John Fordham

• Alex Keen (double bass) works regularly on the jazz scene with names such as guitarist Jim Mullen and saxophonists Tim Whitehead and Theo Travis.

• Jon Desbruslais (drums) has performed with Buddy Greco and in many latin bands including Viva La Revolucion! Allstars and Son de Cuba, and was a finalist in the Worshipful Company of Musicians Jazz Medal 2012.