Quentin Collins Brandon Allen quartet at Seven

Interesting melodies and well-crafted solos over a swinging organ-and-drums rhythm section. Trumpeter Quentin Collins and tenor saxophonist Brandon Allen share inspiration in the glory days of hard bop and the music of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley and its other great proponents but, while they bring its values to their own quartet, this is no mere tribute band.

"Trumpet, tenor saxophone, organ and drums? Must be retro hard-bop in the classic Blue Note mould. Er, not exactly. Collins certainly plays bright, crackling trumpet and Allen's tenor is declamatory in the grand manner, but there's a restlessness about this band's music that defies expectations...

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Interesting melodies and well-crafted solos over a swinging organ-and-drums rhythm section. Trumpeter Quentin Collins and tenor saxophonist Brandon Allen share inspiration in the glory days of hard bop and the music of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley and its other great proponents but, while they bring its values to their own quartet, this is no mere tribute band.

"Trumpet, tenor saxophone, organ and drums? Must be retro hard-bop in the classic Blue Note mould. Er, not exactly. Collins certainly plays bright, crackling trumpet and Allen's tenor is declamatory in the grand manner, but there's a restlessness about this band's music that defies expectations. Instead of grooving comfortably along, the drums (Enzo Zirilli) chatter away busily and the organ (Ross Stanley) produces sudden changes of register and great washes of harmonic colour. The compositions, Collins's especially, keep you guessing, too. It's disconcerting but wonderfully energising, once you get over the surprise". Dave Gelly Observer

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