Kevin Figes Quartet - Changing Times (2021) [Hi-Res]

Multi-instrumentalist, composer and educator Kevin Figes presents 'Changing Times', his fifth quartet recording. The album features pianist Jim Blomfield on Fender Rhodes, Prophet and Hammond organ, Mark Whitlam on drums and Thad Kelly on bass. "There is a striking level of empathy and interplay within the Quartet that comes from a combination of highly accomplished players, all great improvisors in their own right, who have worked closely together for some time," says Figes. "This record is a snapshot in time with a group of people I'm very fond of and will keep working with." The eight tracks written by Figes on 'Changing Times' explore a wide world of compositional influences. These include "Toothpick", a homage to Soft Machine, the band that made Figes move on from rock to jazz. "I feel I'm almost coming full circle. It's based on the very brilliant writing of Mike Ratledge and his composition 'Teeth'. Elton Dean was their saxophonist, and it was my privilege to have him teach me from scratch back in the '80s," explains Figes. "Radio Play" was inspired by Paul Hindemith and "Guiding Light" by Hermeto Pascoal. Vocalist Emily Wright performs on two tracks - "Strange Place", which evokes the 70s horror film, and "Soft Escape Bed", a road sign that Figes used to see on his journey to visit his critically ill Dad.