Whenever Kirk MacDonald heads up a session you can be sure you're in for a treat. Pure and Simple is just that, four top flight musicians having a great blow in the true jazz tradition. The cohesion amongst these players is remarkable as they weave in and out of ideas propelling each tune to thoroughly reveal itself. MacDonald brings his unique and authoritative sound as well as four of his own compositions to this session. His lines are a constant flow of ideas probing the limits of an idea yet always thoroughly grounded. The rich tapestry of colour and texture always grabs your attention. "Five By Five" begins with an extended sax piano duet where MacDonald's plaintive searching sound plays against John Taylor's ever responsive piano. Taylor is one of those players whose skill at support is seamless only to burst forth with sparkle, clarity and a sureness that disarms. The structure and openness of his improvisation are beautifully conceived and executed.

Neil Swainson on bass has always brought lyricism and kindness to a session and that touch is evident here, where along with one of his own tunes, "Scene In Passing", we get to sample his distinctive sense of warmth carried forward by the quartet. Along with the joyful and incisive textures of Terry Clarke's drums, this group is really held together by an uncanny sense of inner momentum. Each of these finely skilled players is given opportunity to stretch yet they never stop beyond the intent of the session. MacDonald has managed to put together seven well-balanced tunes, displaying his compositional and arranging skills but most of all his selection of a group of players who exhibit a commonality and shared sympathy that turns music into magic.

Roger Martindill

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