ARTICLE XI
Live in Newcastle
(2020 - Discus Music - UK)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c73PTEXDUsk

https://discus-music.co.uk/catalogue-mobile/dis89-250-detail

https://discusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-newcastle-89cd

Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights : Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of their interests. Interesting in this Coronavirus (Covid -19) time that this right to assembly becomes a no no, and outright problem that carries fear in its pocket, to keep us from even thinking about close contact with even one other person, and surely not a crowd of people. But this is about music so away from the chaos and to some magnificent performance for your ears.

An especially intimate mingling of free jazz, free expression, peaceful assembly, and brilliant skillset among eleven exceptional musicians, all in the name of the human rights stated clearly in Article 11 of the European Convention. Although recorded live at the Bridge Hotel, 2017, along with a double bill tour with Favorite Animals, this not to be missed official release on Discus Music in 2020, is available in 6 panel digipak with standout artwork by Angela Guyton. Nothing short of incredible.

The 2nd release by Article XI, led by Anton Hunter, who has perked up my ears for several years in various outfits, some simply stunning, all staying in a utmost inventive field. On this live performance, the arrangements have rare air, and a fresh dash of impulse, yet they are fully loaded as if each and every note were rehearsed for a year or more (well actually 2 of the works are reinvented from their debut album). There is nothing shapeless or jumbled here, just plentiful puzzles of progressive thinking big band with tease, twists and boiling over attainment. Article XI reach for something or some things, and find heights much further up in reality.

The compositions are either 'reimaginnings' of previous arrangements or improvised parts from the musicians in response to a framework already established. ‘Municrination’ (opening track) was in fact birthed from a melody chain by Anton that he presented to Johnny Hunter (his brother) and Graham South, where they improvised around the parts, and then in the end, Anton wrote their results into the final composition. This is the magic that happens with the ensemble and one of several ways the pieces of music get creation and life.

The stellar performers are: Sam Andreae - alto saxophone / Oliver Dover - alto saxophone / Simon Prince - tenor saxophone & flute / Cath Roberts - baritone saxophone / Graham South - trumpet / Nick Walters - trumpet / Kieran McLeod - trombone / Tullis Rennie - trombone / Seth Bennett - double bass / Johnny Hunter - drums / and Anton Hunter - guitar. For this writer/listener, this is like finding another wave of life changers like I did back in the early 70's with Tippetts, anything goes jazz rock, Soft Machine, Henry Cow, and a wide assortment of avant-garde ensembles from all over the globe. I have a second bloodrush with all these implacable, multi metrical, prize releases coming my way over the last decade.

Article XI have slight of hand at times, hop into trespass mode, get robust, lay back, find a new fountainhead, and retreat only momentarily, sidestep, and then create a new groove, all in a flawless exhibition of first class resolution. Think a live album won't have the same zip or drive? WRONG! If anything, this outfit has more presence and punch than anything they could have done in the studio. Folks this is alive and as poignant as one could dream of. An unforgettable live musical performance. MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  Reviewed by Lee Henderson 3 - 28 - 2020

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