There’s a real buzz around Isle of Wight pianist and composer, Greg Foat, at the moment. His debut album in 2011 was named as one of the best jazz albums of the year in the Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards and his latest has already received critical acclaim.
Pulling together some of the most gifted musicians, The Greg Foat Group swiftly followed their first album with another three, the latest, Dancers at the Edge of Time, recorded at none other than St Catherine’s Church in Ventnor last summer.
Homegrown talent
Having grown up on the Isle of Wight, Greg told Paris DJs magazine in 2011,
“I learnt to play by sitting in with retired session/jazz musicians that had played on all the cruise ships that passed through the Solent in the 60s, 70s and 80s.”
He cut his jazz teeth in the Isle of Wight County Youth Jazz Orchestra and after leaving the Island to study for a music degree in London, Greg later went on to pick up regular work performing professionally around Europe.
Smooth, sophisticated and serene
Somewhat late to the Greg Foat party, OnTheWight was lucky enough to have a copy of Dancers at the Edge of Time in our hands just prior to the general release last month.
It’s an album of wonder before you even place the vinyl on the turntable. The cover and inner-sleeve design comes courtesy of another lover of the keys, Ventnor musician and artist, Warren ‘Woz’ Hampshire. The hand-drawn inner sleeve and record label have a great 1960s feel about them. Quality artwork on quality paper.
Guest musicians
The album features some interesting instruments such as the flugelhorn and cabasa, as well as many guest musicians, including several Isle of Wight names, Andy Hicks, Bob Brace, Simon Keates, Dave Champion and Charlie Harris to name a few.
It’s already received critical acclaim and is fast becoming a regular on BBC 6 Music.
Highly recommended
So what did we think of the album? Well, it’s clear that Greg is not only a highly talented musician, but also an accomplished composer.
The opening track, Dancers at the End of Time, will have you, within one minute, absolutely melting into your chair or sofa. It’s deeply gorgeous.
The sensation continues throughout the album. It’s easy to get carried away to another world when listening to tracks such as Hygiea, The Dancers Waltz (digital version only) and Love Theme.
And we love the fact that the last track on the album, Rocken End, features a full ten minutes of waves recorded at Binnel Bay (digital version only).
If you’re a lover of Jazz or just want to have a slice of Isle of Wight talent in your record collection, head over to Jazzman Records to purchase your copy online. You won’t be disappointed.
Read the 2011 interview with ParisDJs.
