Smiling Mark Lockheart

• 1 Morning Smiles 07:10
• 2 Back And Forth 06:22
• 3 Western Shores 05:00
• 4 Lunch With The Devil 07:52
• 5 Wrap Me Up 06:23
• 6 Rapture Of The Deep 04:39
• 7 In Deeper 07:31
• 8 I've Seen The Light 06:48
• Total Runtime 51:45

Info for Smiling

Following in the footsteps of such British jazz rock pioneers as Nucleus, Mike Gibbs, Isotope and Colosseum , Mark Lockheart's new project fuses flute (the great Rowland Sutherland) twin sax improvisations ( Empirical’s Nathaniel Facey) with electric guitar (John Parricelli) and a full brass and wind section of top players over rock steady rhythms (bassist Tom Herbert) and ex Robert Plant drummer Dave Smith. Lockheart, in the vanguard of British jazz for four decades, returns with a triumph of sonic optimism on his latest album, blending edginess and rawness into the sophisticated tapestry of his sound. A masterful corrective to the chaos of modern life, the album weaves a narrative capturing the essence of jazz but infusing it with the electric energy of rock, creating a charismatic and exuberant soundscape.

Known for his pivotal roles in pioneering groups Loose Tubes, Perfect Houseplants, and Polar Bear, Mark seamlessly integrates these influences with the introspective depth of his own earlier album, 'In Deep', the elaborate orchestral storytelling of 2019's 'Days on Earth', and the imaginative indie flair of 2022's 'Dreamers'. The result is a captivating and visceral jazz rock fusion album that'll have you smiling with pleasure.

This album is a narrative of resilience and optimism, an apt counterpoint to the tumult of contemporary living. It resonates with a unique character – a raw, unfiltered energy that underpins the refined jazz melodies. This fusion will appeal to all fans of British jazz and rock, offering a fresh, exhilarating experience.

Mark Lockheart, saxophone
Nathaniel Facey, saxophone
Rowland Sutherland, flutes
George Crowley, clarinet
James Allsop, clarinet
Laura Jurd, trumpet
Mike Soper, trumpet
Jim Rattigan, horns
Anna Drysdale, horns
Harry Maund, trombone, bass trombone
John Parricelli, guitars
Tom Herbert, bass
Dave Smith, drums

Recorded at Livingstone Studios, London
Mixed by Steve Baker
Mastered bt Peter Beckmann
Produced by Mark Lockheart and Steve Baker

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This album contains no booklet.