You know it’s a good day when one of your favorite names in the business links up with another name in the business to make magical things happen. That’s exactly the outcome we would expect to hear on the new Greg Foat album, “The Dreaming Jewels” when he collides with Malcom Catto on a project that is nothing short of a masterpiece. The Dreaming Jewels was recorded by Catto in his studio which boasts a full analog set up and has proven to capture a dynamic sound over the years with other works that have been recorded there.
The upcoming album reunites the entire Greg Foat Group joined by Binker Golding (Binker and Moses) on Tenor Saxophone, Malcolm Catto on drums and Hugh Harris (The Kooks) on Guitar on the session. Moving to a more rhythmic space, you could call it Jazz funk or Fusion, but labels suck so just listen and appreciate the pure sense of space Malcom achieves with this recording. Instruments float in space, aided by the Vintage EMI desk and a host of valve equipment which has taken Malcolm a lifetime to collect. In amongst the more rhythmic pieces we also have some classic Foat style compositions; ‘Lake Kussharo’ and ‘The Dreaming Jewels’ as emotive and personal as ever, a feeling that can only be expressed and articulated in music. These past few years will no doubt be looked back on with great favour in musical history, with prolific and high quality output in all his various projects this LP is his crowning achievement of 2019. A strong year indeed!