reviews: Four Spirits

"Easily the most important jazz violinist to have emerged in recent years, Garrick confirms with this, his third album, that he's moving closer to establishing unequivocally his own voice. Also technically, he is one of the most assured in the world. There's some astonishingly virtuosic playing here as he exuberantly takes a fine quartet, including pianist David Gordon, drummer Tom Hooper and the solidly nourishing bass of Jeremy Brown, through some dauntingly arresting material. Occasionally, fussy arranging breaks the flow and Garrick does revel in his virtuosity, but his own 15-minute title track is a gorgeously reflective piece and the best testament to his considerable gifts on a fine album."

Ray Comiskey, The Irish Times

5
"Jazz violinist Chris Garrick is a regular visitor to Oxford, and his last performance at the spin@thewheatsheaf was a triumph. The violin is not a mainstream jazz instrument, but Garrick combines total technical command with a real jazz feel and a fertile imagination. After listening to him for a while, one forgets that he's playing the violin and just listens to the music. His latest CD Four Spirits features the current touring band that appeared so successfully in Oxford: Dave Gordon on keyboards, Tom Hooper on drums and Jeremy Brown on double bass. Tom Hooper is an outstanding young drummer and Dave Gordon, also a frequent visitor to Oxford, is a witty composer and erudite pianist who can also swing furiously. The resulting collaboration is a fine example of the best of current British jazz - accessible, varied but rich enough to repay attentive and repeated listening. There are standards here, imaginatively arranged - I especially enjoyed the tender / funky take on A Man and a Woman -some spacious compositions by Garrick himself, and the album opens with Gordon's madcap jig The Alchemist and the Catflap. Influences that I spotted include folk, free jazz, heavy metal, hot club swing, Joe Zawinul, Jimmy Hendrix … and further listening will no doubt suggest others. This is music that the musicians wanted to record, issued on a small independent label. The best way to buy it is to go to a live gig, or order it through the website chrisgarrick.com"

Roger Vanschaick, Oxford Times.

5
"How many jazz violinists come to mind? Joe Venuti, Stuff Smith, the list isn't long. But in Chris Garrick, son of Michael Garrick we have someone who combines technique with interesting improvisonal ideas. The tone is set by he opening Alchemist and the Catflap where Garrick tears through the theme and then begins improvising in turn with keyboard player David Gordon. Each pushes each other onwards without a cliché in sight. Both Double Six Blues with a suitable hammond-like intro and The Silver Link display a wealth of improvisational ideas. But there are puzzles. The old standard Change Partners with its sluggish rhythm and bizarre vocal is hard going whist A Man & A Woman veers between improvisation and parody. But there's much to be enjoyed, not least Solitude, a beautiful duet between Garrick and Gordon. Overall this is a satisfying recording with improvisation, humour, strong melodic content and playing time which gives Garrick and his colleagues many opportunities. Miss this at your own risk."

Greg Murphy, Jazz Rag