Andy Panayi Quartet - The Solar Cats

By concentrating on his own highly original, yet accessible compositions Andy Panayi has taken his superb quartet to a higher level on his second Woodville release. This new recording has all of the old, impressive qualities in place; tight, well written arrangements, inventive and inspired soloing, and a level of group interplay which only comes after years of performing together. All the compositions on this album are original, yet accessible and are inspired by aspects of astronomy. In fact, parts of The Journey to the Planets Suite are quite startling in their audacity, and the execution throughout is exemplary. This album represents a new milestone for this group - they now sound uniquely and impressively like themselves. Personnel: Andy Panayi (baritone and tenor saxophones, flute, recorders), Mark Nightingale (trombone), Simon Woolf (double bass), Steve Brown (drums)