Square One - In Motion (2016)

The elegant, affirmative 21st Century jazz you will hear on 'In Motion' is highly melodic and tremendously engaging. It’s also full of movement, colour and electrifying energy, and it fully justifies the attention Square One has received from informed commentators at the Glasgow Herald, Jazzwise magazine and the BBC.

Music is a universal language that is understood by many and appreciated by all, and the four members of Square One are certainly articulate and expressive. Nevertheless, their music is also full of spirit, soul and depth, the other essential ingredients of a living language. Square One will leave you with the indelible impression that In Motion is the sound of people who have really have something new to say.

Joe Williamson speaks volumes on guitar, often in a leading role, but frequently in partnership with Peter Johnstone’s rippling, stream-of-consciousness statements on piano. Stephen Henderson on drums and David Bowden on bass bring intellect, measured thought and reasoned responses in a rhythm section with strong opinions of its own. The result on In Motion is a burgeoning creative ambition calibrated by musical poise.

The ten pieces featured on the CD are sweeping in scope, and wide in terms of the sonic narratives. There are the gleaming melodic tonalities of guitar and piano in perfect synchrony, and sharp modern edges that are clear-cut and diamond hard. There is a lightness of touch in their approach to instrumental balladry, and they bring a confident, contemporary mind-set to bear on preconceptions about folk, blues, straight-ahead jazz and fusion. It is an accomplished debut, and an enormous forward step for a young and gifted quartet.