“Heddon Street” is the closing track from ‘Perfect Strangers,’ the debut album by a new psychedelic jazz quartet Lophae (pronounced “Lo-Fi”) led by guitarist and composer Greg Sanders. This quartet’s line-up features some of Sanders’ favourite musicians. Despite being their first time recording together these musicians are well aware of each other and the art of collective improvisation as well; “Heddon Street” stands as a quintessential example.
Sanders has assembled drummer Ben Brown, bassist Tom Herbert, and saxophonist Sam Rapley in this group to interpret his distinctive and compelling compositions. Some of these compositions are unusual to play in many ways, however, the three collaborators make difficult material sound really relaxed, swinging and melodic. Sanders’ idea of a quartet where each player has a beautiful and immediately recognisable sound is finally coming to fruition through ‘Perfect Strangers’ which is set for release at the end of next month.
“Heddon Street” starts off in common time, Brown’s sixteenth note groove contributes a slow meditative groove, creating rich and gentle foundation. With his bass lines, Herbert offers just what the music needs. Finding his path through the harmonic progression, he complements both the rhythm and harmony sections.
On this record, Sanders uses a lot of pedals to emulate a sensation of ambience and atmosphere. In this track, harmony on guitar fills out the landscape with the help of his chosen pedals. In terms of melody, Rapley handles solo duties on tenor sax with timely interjection from guitar.
Each member of Lophae brings a unique character and sound that combine to create something completely fresh yet, simultaneously, familiar to the London alternative jazz scene in which all of them are deeply connected.
