This Is How We Grow
Migu, 2022
8/10
The trombonist, improviser, composer and educator Raph Clarkson returns with a small army of musicians for these 10 tracks that surround European jazz, 20th century classical music, poetry, spoken word, song, and plenty of grooves.
“With The Power Of My Voice” starts the listen with much atmosphere, as bright brass and frisky drums help cultivate a very lively climate that welcomes children’s voices, and “I Sing With The Earth” follows with a choral energy that’s full of bright melodies.
Halfway through, the playful horns and soaring voices make for a youthful and charming album highlight, while “Sophie” recruits stirring piano and a very intimate spirit to Fini Bearman’s stunning pipes, and, later on, the dreamy brass.
Close to the end, “Itself And One” recruits call and response singing amid Mark Lockhearts sax prowess and John Parricelli’s fluid guitar, and “This Is How We Grow” exits with keys, strings, brass and young voices making for an animated and upbeat finish.
A listen that brings in countless diverse influences, there’s a very heartfelt demeanor to these unique modern jazz tracks and the large amount of children singing across the record, (Gillespie Primary School, London; Camden New Voices; Durston Court School, Dorset; Prospect House School, Putney) makes for a very distinct and memorable project.
Travels well with: Estraven- Ignored Advice; Hannah Horton- Inside Out