OUT NOW! May 2023.
What a proud and exciting moment! This beautiful album is the first to be recorded here at The Playroom, Arundel using the recently acquired Yamaha Grand Piano (more about that on our previous blog entry here).
The Full Circle Quartet is made up of award winneing musicians and writers and are based in Sussex. They came to The Playroom, Arundel for 3 days in late 2022.
Once settled in, microphones in place, headphone levels set and tea made, the Quartet had a very relaxed and enjoyable few days recording tunes they had previously played live, expanding ideas and tweaking arrangements as they went. (The engineer enjoyed it very much too!!).
All of the members of Full Circle write and arrange, so 12 of the 13 tracks on the album are written and arranged within the band. One track, ‘One January Morning’, was written by friend of the band, multi-reed player Julian Nicholas and was arranged by members of the Quartet.
The album is called ‘The South Downs Suite’ and the music is inspired by and reflects living and working in the South Downs of England.
You will hear magnificent playing from all involved with ensemble cameos from Kate Hogg (Flutes) and Michelle Andrews (Clarinet and Bass Clarinet).
‘The South Downs Suite’ album is definitely worth a listen if you are a lover of Jazz and Soundtrack-style music. Pure escapism.
The album cover art is detail from a mixed painting named ‘Amberley’ by local artist Polly Dutton, who is working with the Quartet on a companion set of artwork which will be launched at Petworth Festival 2023. More information on this through Polly’s site: www.pollydutton.co.uk.
The Quartet will also be playing at the festival and various other venues through the South, details of which can be found though their website.
The South Downs Suite by The Full Circle Quartet – Recorded, mixed and mastered at The Playroom, Arundel.
Further information about The Full Circle Quartet including live dates and album details can be found here: www.fullcirclequartet.com
Reviews – What ‘they’ say
Some pre-release comments that the album has received (via Bandcamp):-
fairman*****6
Bought it almost blind because I love Jo’s sound and inventiveness in her playing. However, I now have listened to this whole album. Wow ! what an album. Pianist, Bassist and Drummer are all top draw. A very classy album indeed. Thoroughly recommended for any jazz enthusiast. Go and buy it . You will not be disappointed. On this basis, I would gladly book the band for my Jazz club.
Groo*****8
This is a superb piece, it flows in a wonderful way. Great playing and recording. Just sit back and enjoy.
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