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Jim Hart's Gemini



"Hart's writing is consistently interesting and the playing, by an all star group, exceptional"

The young multi instrumentalist Jim Hart is one of the most exciting young talents to have emerged in British jazz in recent years. Although a more than competent pianist and drummer it is his skills on the vibraphone that have brought him to national attention both as a leader of his own groups and as a star sideman with Michael Janisch, Alan Barnes, Ivo Neame and others.

Hart is a young man with a thorough understanding of the jazz tradition as his work with Barnes suggests, something re-enforced by the release of the excellent quartet album “Words And Music” earlier this year on Barnes’ Woodville Records label
. Here Hart explored the melodies of jazz standards and popular songs that had inspired him but did so with a rigour and a contemporary edge that made the record essential listening. “Words And Music” is reviewed elsewhere on this site.

Gemini represents the more contemporary side of Hart’s music. He is a member of North London’s increasingly influential Loop Collective, an aggregation of talented young musicians exploring contemporary jazz and beyond. Gemini is less experimental than many of the other Loop bands but is none the worse for that and “Narrada” sees Hart and his group displaying an increased maturity in both writing and playing in comparison to the earlier (and already very good) “Emergence”.

“Narrada” takes it’s name from an ancient settlement on Bodmin Moor in Hart’s home county of Cornwall. Since “Emergence” Gemini’s personnel has altered with Jasper Hoiby (bass) and Dave Smith ( drums) replacing Mick Coady and Tom Skinner respectively. Ivo Neame, better known as a pianist, appears here exclusively on alto saxophone and gives an inspired performance. His unorthodox saxophone technique gives Gemini much of it’s unique flavour but really this is an inspired grouping incorporating four of Loop’s leading lights, it is perhaps the line up Hart aspired to all along.

I’ve seen Hart play several times in various contexts and he is a stunning and spectacular improviser with an astonishing four mallet technique inspired by the likes of Gary Burton and his one time mentor Joe Locke. “Narrada” sees him taking an increasing interest in the marimba which is featured on several of the album’s eight tracks. Hart’s tricky but invigorating themes are inspired by bebop and the music of Ornette Coleman but also by more contemporary figures such as John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet (which contains vibes player Mat Moran) and guitarist Bill Frisell.

All the tracks are Hart originals and the quartet kick off with “Four Little Words” a tricky bop inspired theme that summons some passionate alto from Neame and busy yet controlled drumming from the consistently excellent Smith. Hart’s increasing maturity as a writer is revealed by a gentler, more exploratory central section that contains excellent solos from himself and bassist Hoiby. The Dane also excels throughout, big toned and lyrical in his solos, anchoring the group together Charlie Haden style elsewhere.

“Dark Moon” opens atmospherically courtesy of drummer Smith’s sometimes spooky solo. Subsequently frenetic unison bursts led by Neame’s alto alternate with haunting, freer passages in a restlessly evolving composition. As on the opener Hart features on both vibes and marimba.

At over ten and a half minutes “Narrada” itself is the album’s stand out track. It builds from a gentle vibes/drum intro through Hoiby’s bass solo in a quiet opening section. There is then a lengthy, more propulsive passage framing strong solos from Neame and Hart. Even when Hart is not in the spotlight his insistent chording pushes his colleagues forward in tandem with Smith’s neatly energetic drumming. This is a band where all four members contribute to the overall group sound, there is some great ensemble playing here and throughout the album. Hart’s choice of band name makes it clear that this is indeed “a band”, an integrated unit not just the “Jim Hart Quartet” doing the theme/solos/theme thing.
“Kindred” is a beautiful abstract ballad that lowers the temperature and reveals the sensitive side of the band with pensive alto and shimmering vibes, woody bass and delicately shaded percussion. Much of Gemini’s output is, dazzling, high octane stuff so this atmospheric piece represents a welcome change of pace.

“Deviation” is a return to typical Gemini territory with a slippery bop inspired theme; complex yet engaging and accessible. Hoiby impresses with a vibrant bass solo and Hart sparkles at the vibes. The dazzling closing passages offer something of a feature for Outhouse drummer Smith.

“Crunchy Country” is Hart’s tribute to the music of guitarist Bill Frisell and shares something of the American’s famous quirkiness. In the tune’s more abstract moments Hart can be heard using a bow on his vibes, a technique frequently deployed by the

"Whether he is playing alto or soprano saxophone, Kenny Garrett has dazzled audiences for decades with his imaginative solos and virtuosic technique. Garrett joined the long, historic list of sidemen, apprenticing to Miles Davis for five years and contributing to four of Davis’ albums."