PHAROS, Paul Dunlea & Trevor Mires - SILFRA (2025) [Hi-Res]

The twin trombone frontline is an esoteric but noble tradition in jazz, harking back to the famed 1950s recordings of Kai Windings and JJ Johnson. While respecting the tradition, the internationally renowned trombonists Paul Dunlea (from Cork) and Trevor Mires (from London) are not traditionalists, and their collaborative project Silfra showcases their thoroughly contemporary skills as composers and arrangers to create a fascinatingly diverse set of trombone led music. Silfra is the name of a place in Iceland where the tectonic plates of Europe and America meet and rub together. "I scuba-dived between the two plates and touched them both at the same time," says Dunlea, and the album presents a true transatlantic meeting of talent. The project was conceived after Paul and Trevor worked together on a project at London's famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, and the music was recorded at the legendary New York studio of Rudy Van Gelder with a specially assembled band of their favorite US musicians.

For the drum chair, Trevor chose Billy Kilson, famed for his long association with Dave Holland, while Paul selected bassist Ike Sturm (Donny McCaslin) and pianist Jim Ridl (Kurt Elling, Joe Locke). Ryan Keberle contributes a third trombone to some of the sections to create a full, lush sound. The result is a stunning album that combines influences from both the leaders' multi-faceted careers, Paul's Irish heritage, and their deep love of the jazz tradition.

Silfra is a beautifully realised album from two master musicians completely at ease in their surroundings. Trevor says "It felt, at once, a magical and a homely place, to make music." Paul asserts "We did it off our own backs and ended up working in one of the best studios in the world with some of the best musicians, playing our own music with our best mates. It doesn't get much better than that."

PERSONNEL
Paul Dunlea – trombone
Trevor Mires – trombone
Ryan Keberle – trombone
Jim Ridl – piano
Ike Sturm – bass
Billy Kilson – drums
Matt Cooper – synths

Tracklist:
1-1 Paul Dunlea;Billy Kilson;Trevor Mires;Jim Ridl;Ike Sturm - Frongoch [7:27]
1-2 Trevor Mires;Billy Kilson;Matt Cooper;Jim Ridl;Ike Sturm;Paul Dunlea - Cypher Nutria [7:16]
1-3 Paul Dunlea;Billy Kilson;Trevor Mires;Ryan Keberle;Jim Ridl;Ike Sturm - Silfra [11:23]
1-4 Paul Dunlea;Billy Kilson;Trevor Mires;Ryan Keberle;Matt Cooper;Jim Ridl;Ike Sturm - Watashi [5:12]
1-5 Paul Dunlea;Trevor Mires - Don't Give Up On Me [7:08]
1-6 Paul Dunlea;Trevor Mires - 176 PZK [8:46]
1-7 Paul Dunlea;Billy Kilson;Trevor Mires;Jim Ridl;Ike Sturm - Saoirse [5:23]