Chris Ingham Quartet - Dudley

The Guardian 80

(Downhome)

Among his many talents, Dudley Moore’s gifts as a jazz composer seem to have been forgotten. These 16 pieces, some unearthed from the soundtracks of his films and TV shows, some from albums and singles recorded with his trio in the 60s, are unfailingly tuneful and spiced with gentle harmonic guile. Coming to them afresh, Chris Ingham finds unexpected diversity beneath the smooth, bright surface. At one extreme is the playful theme tune of Not Only... But Also, at the other the melancholy Moon Time, which might have passed unnoticed beneath the action in Bedazzled. To have other musicians choosing to play their work is every composer’s dream. I’m sure Dudley would have been delighted.