Nick Walters Marine Moods

Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Nick Walters returns to his D.O.T. Records imprint with his majestic new album, Marine Moods. The album revives his sextet, who last appeared together on his 2019 album 'Active Imagination'. This stellar collection of musicians picks things up where they left off, delivering an exquisite suite of contemporary jazz-fusion, gleaning the very best elements from afro, modal and spiritual jazz.

‘Marine Moods’ is a collection of compositions inspired by the sea. The compositions are designed to allow space and creative freedom for all the musicians to express themselves and interact with one another. Much like the oceans which have inspired the album, the pieces take the listener through a range of moods - from the energetic optimism of ‘Gulf Stream’, through the darker hypnotic groove of ‘Hydrothermal’, to the stillness and peacefulness of the raga-inspired ‘Journey for Joan’. Recorded in one summer's day in a roasting hot North London studio, ‘Marine Moods’ is a document of six musicians and friends coming together to improvise, interact and collaborate to create something new.

The album artwork features another stunning original oil painting by Lorna Robertson, a still life of a trumpet, plant and goldfish bowl in her signature semi-abstract style. Inspired by the iconic Henri Matisse painting 'Goldfish' from 1912, the painting is about the experience of inspiration during creativity. In the imagined scene, Nick is in a blue apartment day dreaming while looking at goldfish swimming around, as he contemplates writing new music inspired by the sea.

‘Challenger Deep’ kicks things off in an infectious groove-laden fashion. Walters leads his band through an epic Coltrane-esque intro, that breaks into a snappy drum groove and catchy lead line. Rebecca Nash takes over on piano with her distinctive voicings, setting the scene for an epic flute solo from Tenderlonious. ‘Challenger Deep’ is named after the deepest point of the seabed, found in the Mariana Trench at a depth of over 10 km.

‘Gulf Stream’ kicks off in Walters’ familiar amiable style. A joyful, summery horn line leads the way, succeeded by a glorious trumpet solo from the man himself. Tenderlonious takes over with a thrilling soprano solo, matched by some masterful drum work from Laurie Lowe. That melodious lead line comes back, gradually bringing the sundown on another memorable track for the album. ‘Gulf Stream’ is named after the ocean current which flows across the Atlantic ocean, bringing warm water and weather to the shores of Western Europe.

‘Wine-Dark Sea’ is a reference to the phrase used multiple times by Homer in The Iliad and The Odyssey, often to describe rough, stormy seas. This track was a studio jam built around another catchy hook. Kudjovi Kush leads the way on percussion, before solos from Walters on trumpet and Tenderlonious on flute.

‘Hydrothermal’ is another stand out track on the album. Again, another memorable lead line lays the foundations for some more stellar solo work from Walters, Nash and Tenderlonious. Nim Sadot comes to the fore on this one, leading the rhythm section with some slick bass work that underpins the track. ‘Hydrothermal’ is named after the deep sea hydrothermal vents found in volcanically active regions, home to diverse simple life forms and bacteria, and hypothesised to have been the origin of all life on Earth.

‘Journey for Joan’ a ballad written in tribute to Nick’s granny, Joan Walters. A deep, spiritual offering capturing melancholy and joy. A fitting way to end what is another great album from Nick Walters.