We had a great time listening to ‘Water Speckled Midnight’. As jazz connoisseurs, the listening experience was nuanced and fresh, well-balanced between tradition and modernity. Penned by Cambridge-based quartet Q3, the record showcases the high level of musicianship shared by the ensemble. At the helm, we find pianist Martin Hallmark, also the author of all compositions.
Alongside him, a lineup of seminal musicians well known in the UK jazz scene; Kevin Flanagan on tenor sax, Tiago Coimbra on electric bass, and Oscar Reynolds on drums. There’s a strong element of eclecticism in the album, incorporating Latin and funk stylings always with a distinctly improvised, free-form vigour.
‘Water Speckled Midnight’ will appeal to a seasoned audience of jazz listeners – like us. There’s such class and elegance in it, reminding us of the giants (Coltrane, Parker) and more recent fusion figures (Corea, Brecker). The alchemy between such influences results in a record that’s rewarding and easy on the ears.
Recommended! Discover ‘Water Speckled Midnight’ on Spotify:
