Mark Kelso’s Mystic Isle Project: The Antrim Coast

Hot on the heels of his Juno nominated Jazz Exiles release “The Dragons Tail”, Canadian drumming luminary Mark Kelso offers up this potent collection of instrumental jazz tracks inspired by his Northern Ireland roots.

Harking back to his childhood memories (Kelso moved to Canada at age 9), he paints sonic portraits of various locales and charms from his homeland.

Starting things off is the spirited “Ardmillan Drive”, with its bold melodic surge guided by Kelso’s rhythmic dance on the drum kit.

Notable throughout are the adventurous unisons courtesy of pianist Ewan Farncombe and saxophonist Luis Deniz, bouncing playfully off the triplet based motif. A high note count permeates the melody here, but rest assured these guys are no scale happy Jazz Cowboys firing their guns in the air, but rather expressive musicians presenting well explored themes that twist and turn in all the right places.

Next up the band changes gears for the ethereal “A Windy Day at Carrick-a Rede”, relaxing the listener into a more swanky, New York jazz like vibe.

Tasteful playing again on display here from Deniz and Farncombe, with bassist Mike Downes anchoring things nicely amidst the 3/4 lilt, rising and falling within it’s fastidious backdrop.

“Giant’s Causeway”, much like the legendary landmark that inspired it, evokes beauteous sonic vistas as it clips along on an up tempo jazz romp.

The band members pull out all the stops here, as it’s shifting, accented melodies, at times, conjure up shades of the Yellowjackets. A particular highlight is Kelso’s explosive solo, blurring bar lines as he builds the rhythmic momentum.

“Tates Avenue Bridge” features an impressive Q&A between Deniz and Farncombe, with Downes joining the musical conversation at key points throughout. Here Kelso switches to the brushes, alternating between New Orleans style shuffle and “55th Street” swing.

The final track is the hauntingly beautiful ballad “Orange and Green”, gorgeous playing by all on deck, culminating in perhaps the most soulful offering of the pack. Kelso provides a light touch throughout. His beautiful sounding cymbals creating ambient colors akin to an ocean surf at high tide.

Too often, drummer led recordings can be overly “drumistic” with heavy chops and polyrhythmic muscle flexing, overpowering the compositions.

Kudo’s to Mark Kelso for focusing on the task at hand, and providing just what’s necessary for the music to thrive first and foremost because, with these stellar players, you certainly don’t want to obliterate anyone.

“The Antrim Coast” leaves the dedicated listener with a profound sense of satisfaction. Jazz, as a genre, can still put up it’s dukes against naysayers and doomsayers alike, and we, as fans, are not going anywhere.

For anyone looking for melody rich jazz with an adventurous edge

Highly Recommended!

*** Special thanks to Mark Kelso for his correspondence and info sharing.

Steve Obrien