Tommy Smith Group - Forbidden Fruit

'Forbidden Fruit' sees Scottish sax maestro Tommy Smith lead an all-local quartet for the first time in over 20 years. Combining written compositions and improvisation with jazz, classical, folk and rock elements, these four musicians have developed a telepathic understanding to create music that's adventurous, imaginative and emotionally stimulating. Forbidden Fruit sees Scottish sax virtuoso Tommy Smith lead a band, drawn from the ranks of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, for the first time in over 20 years. The result, at least initially, has something of the John Coltrane Quartet about it. It's there in the tremulous cry of the leader's notes, in pianist Steve Hamilton's porous chords, and in the elemental rumble of Alyn Cosker's Elvin Jones-like drums. But where Spirit of the Fallen Angel is a typical late-Coltrane odyssey, Eve recalls a soft-focus Latin daydream, Tree of Knowledge is a folk-dance that shakes off its dark intro, and One Wish depicts Smith at his most delicate and romantic. Forbidden Fruit is a welcome reminder of Smith's extensive range. Review by John Fordham, The Guardian Recorded 2005 Personnel: Tommy Smith (tenor, soprano saxophone), Steve Hamilton (piano), Aidan O'Donnell (bass), Alyn Cosker (drums)