Pete Whittaker, Art Themen, George Double - Thane & the Villeins

The Guardian 80

(Hadleigh Jazz)

What we have here is a first-rate trio playing jazz standards by such greats as Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and Cannonball Adderley. For a full explanation of the medieval tomfoolery side of it, you have to read the notes. These contain extracts from texts and emails, in cod 14th-century English, written and circulated among the three of them: drummer George Double (Thane), organist Pete Whittaker and tenor saxophonist Art Themen (the Villeins). No one should pass up the chance of hearing Themen. He’s one of the very few totally original, and at the same time utterly engaging jazz musicians around.

Usually, even with the best, you have some idea of where the improvisation is going, some route from A to B, but Themen will pile up ideas, apparently at random, maybe with the odd outlandish quotation for good measure, and when he’s finished, it all seems to have made sense. There are 10 tracks here, and they all have something of that about them, especially Forest Flower and the ballad Willow Weep For Me. Themen’s tone is unique too: soft-edged but insistent. An excellent set – and don’t forget the notes.