Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Down the years I've heard numerous albums claiming to be "gospel jazz" which turned out to be highly unimaginative Kenny Gee-styled run-throughs of hymns and worship songs. It takes more than average musical competence to be worthy of the name jazz and too many gospel jazz albums show so little improvisational skill that they are hardly jazz at all. However, with 'In The Company Of Brothers' we have a very different animal from those past albums. Ed Maina is a master of his instruments (alto sax, clarinet, flute, tenor sax and soprano sax) and in the past has played with such jazz luminaries as Oscar Peterson, Bob James and Maynard Ferguson and such diverse mainstream figures as Frank Sinatra, the O'Jays and Natalie Cole. Track one, a superlative version of a song written by David Anderson and Rey Sanchez, "This Is The Moment" is a marvellous cut with a band driven by Ed's fluid alto aided by some wicked percussion and deft piano and guitar runs to sound like something that probably went on for another 10 minutes so perfectly do the musicians interlock with one another. It doesn't stop there. Maina's slowish "You're Still Here With Me" has a most wistfully delicate melody brought out by Ed's clarinet and alto flute while "Quelly's Song" has some delightful guitar work from Gustavo Eraso and rock solid bass from Christendom's best bassman, Abe Laboriel. The sleevenote on this package begins with the words "My gratitude begins first to God, Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. It's by his grace alone that this project has come to be." And what a magnificent project it is.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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