London Afrobeat Collective trumpeter Andy Watts clearly had some thinking to do over the pandemic period and chose that time to re-engage with his solo ideas.
Inviting drummer Filippo Galli and utilising a bespoke cornet and a battery of effects pedals, he constructed a series of expansive rhythmic excursions that explore the outer limits of what can be accomplished with the instrument. Tying those to a kaleidoscope of tanpura drones, he has come up with something rather magical that touches a number of bases, but manages to sound refreshingly new.
This cornet has a dreamier sound than your usual trumpet and the tanpura drones only add to this otherworldly quality; but the scuffling, hi-hat heavy drumming, progressive in its momentum, manages to bring things back down to earth. The percussive might gives great propulsion and on the opening track, the cornet is barking over a sub- funk bassline and generally having a hell of a time. When guitarist guest Joe Edwards leaps in with a skysaw attack, it is almost a sensory overload, a bolt from the blue shimmering in wah frenzy. The background drone is a constant and keeps the air alive, simmering with sound. The cornet echo on “An Unsure Thing” gives it a dubby feel and the cop theme funk bass and skipping drums make it a real toe-tapper. It drives hard but subtly and the wash of cornet echo, along with the drone, keeps the sound constantly evolving. You really feel the enjoyment coming from Andy as he pushes his instrument ever further and as the album progresses so you feel he is allowing it to dictate where to go; a sense of inner exploration that although touches on jazz is covering much broader ground. In fact, I was reminded a little of the sadly missed Grassy Knoll, but more through the kinetic energy than any musical comparison.There is something almost heraldic about the triumphal sound on “The Way Back From Here”. It is slower and more measured, showing another side, a kind of beautiful hope in the tone that is overwhelmed by the wah-wah effect of “Out Of Season”. This is much more muscular, with variations of textures and the limitless subtleties of the drone making for another unique experience.
Due to these variations, each track takes on its own life and Andy’s ability as a bass player and willingness to experiment with how to support the cornet lines shouldn’t be overlooked. There is a suppleness and groove to the bass that means the songs have some anima, some grounding fluidity that makes them more than soulless experiments.The kaleidoscopic sparkle in the background of closer “Working As Intended” adds to the slow and sultry feel. There is some tropical heat in the swish of the cymbals and a chorus of revved up sounds gives the piece a sense of resolution, of a homecoming that is a perfect stopping-off point. There is a density to the backdrop as everywhere sounds are rippling, a profusion of textures that means the album culminates on a real high point.
Andy Watts’ The Way Back From Here is a faultless cornet adventure, one which is filled with energy and ideas and perhaps gives us a new insight into an underutilised instrument. Excellent.-Mr Olivetti-
