aaamusic | On 23, Oct 2011

Empirical were irresistible when they first appeared in 2007. They are a modernistic London jazz quartet that combines structure, cohesiveness and freedom. In 2008 they moved towards leftfield music. Their excellent second album, Out ‘n’ In, in 2009, was a hard act to beat and in 2010 they successfully won the MOBO for the best jazz act.

An element of Truth, their third album, is released on the Naim Jazz label on 24^th October, 2011. Their line up is Nathaniel Facey (saxophone), Lewis Wright (vibraphone & glockenspiel), Tom Farmer (double bass), Shaney Forbes (drums) and George Vogel (piano) who guests.

Produced by Empirical, this confident album was recorded in Sussex over three days in April by Curtis Schwartz and mixed and mastered at Air in London by Ray Staff. Inspiration for the innovative and original material includes Björk and Vijay Iyer.

Their retro style jazz has great energy and is reminiscent of Blue Note’s cutting edge in the Sixties. Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say is a spooky, cerebral and experimental number inspired by Chicago’s minimalist-influenced Claudia Quintet. In the Grill has a jerky but inventive creative arrangement.

Empirical have a strong sense of individuality with edgy arrangements, simple grooves and solid, propulsive rhythms. Their beautiful, atmospheric and mature sounds have inspired jazz musicians on both sides of the Atlantic.

Tracks: Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say; Yin & Yang; In The Grill; Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind Part 1; Cosmos (for Carl Sagan); Simple Things; An Ambiguous State Of Mind; The Element Of Truth; Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind Part 2.

Anthony Weightman