George Haslam Quartet - Papermoon (2008)

The George Haslam Quartet recorded 2007-8, with George arranging seven standards in a structured way starting from a rhythmic base.

"The horns of Steve Waterman and myself can work this material only with the other vital half of the quartet - Robin Jones mastery of Latin percussion is recognised worldwide but I've always been a fan also of his jazz kit drumming, Steve Kershaw has a combination of strength and subtlety in his bass playing that l always feel comfortable with. As a team, Robin Jones and Steve Kershaw make a great combination for this quartet and this music." - George Haslam

“Most of the time I'm a total sucker for baritone sax - I love its irrepressible earthiness - but even so I like the looseness with which this quartet launches into these seven pieces. The arrangements are inventive and are often allusive in surprising ways. My favourite example is the title track, which largely disrupts the familiar cadence of the Arlen original by fitting it over a calypso beat. Haslam is quite candid here and describes the calypso as "St. Thomas style." Anyway, the point isn't that this mash-up is some kind of intellectual breakthrough. It's not. It's just great fun - like most of this joyful record.” - Michael Coyle, Cadence

“Haslam's quartet addresses the likes of 'Recado Bossa Nova', 'The Continental' and 'Out of This World' with a breezy but musicianly irreverence that immediately commands attention, Haslam's gruff, attractively bleary horn sound tellingly contrasted with Waterman's imaginative fire, Jones's clattery drums blending with Kershaw's ebullient bass to provide a suitably lively rhythmic underpinning. With the odd ballad throwing the more rumbustious fare into relief, this is a delightfully informal but punchy album, the palpable enjoyment of its practitioners faithfully conveyed to the listener.” - Chris Parker, The Vortex

“Although Papermoon shares the Gerry Mulligan Quartet format, it doesn't share its sound except for some horn polyphony and tandem soloing. Where the Mulligan sound was cool, even suave, Haslam's is harder, more emphatic...Haslam revels in jaunty rhythms like the calypso-inflected one on the title track or the chugging ostinato of "The Continental". A creative take on a classic format.” - George Kanzler, All About Jazz