Together by Java Quartet
The Java Quartet celebrate their 20th anniversary with the release of their seventh album, entitled Together. This album is a beautifully cohesive acoustic work created by Michael Galeazzi bass, Matthew Ottignon sax, Mike Quigley drums, Greg Coffin piano.
The album was recorded live over two days, and it shows with the album sounding fresh without being overproduced. The addition of two guest artists also helps create an unique sound for the album. All these musicians feel comfortable in their own talents, and there is no excess to the album. It’s pure joy for your ears.
The album is a mix of the classic understated sounds of the group with two additional spoken word tracks featuring hip hop artist MC Morganics. It’s an inspired choice. His voice and lyrics are the perfect match for the music played by Java Quartet.
The exquisite tabla playing of Bobby Singh features throughout the album, providing a subtle but delicious nuance to all of the tracks. John Clare describes the group as being popular, without being populist and it’s apt. This is music that feels strangely comfortable and familiar, yet with surprising turns of phrase and subtleties that continue to reveal themselves with repeated listening.
Java Quartet with guest musicians
An album to play on high rotation over the coming summer months.