The Defector
AMP, 2023
8/10
The sophomore album from the trumpet wizard Henry Spencer, these highly melodic and emotional tracks welcome Ant Law, Andrew Robb, and Matt Robinson, plus others.
The title track opens with Robinson’s swirling piano alongside Spencer’s soulful trumpet in the thoughtful and warm climate, and “Perfect Hindrance” follows with David Ingamells’ mesmerizing drums helping cultivate a dreamy delivery that suits the expressive brass.
Moving along, “Moment Gained” is particularly stirring, where Law’s skilled guitar playing adds a hint of mystery to the rich album highlight, while “Without A Voice” is an intimate moment of poetic horn prowess amid Robb’s strategic bass that builds into a loud, soaring jazz rocker.
“Overlap” and “Not My Country” exit the listen, where the former recruits moody strings for the unique landscape of jazz meets orchestral ideas, and the latter radiates a distinct beauty via the hypnotic guitar lines and soft trumpet that also escalates into busy yet calculated fury.
A listen that can be raw, is always heartfelt, and even flirts with cinematic ideas, Spencer and company say much about sensitivity and meaning without any words across this fusion jazz affair.
Travels well with: 3’AIN- Sea Of Stories; Angela Verbrugge- Love For Connoisseurs