s/t
The Mark Edwards Swing Gospel Jazz Orchestra (Self-titled)
Label:  ICC Records / Elevation
Time:  CD:    12 Tracks / 51 mins
 
Mark Edwards has been involved in several praise releases that I have not enjoyed, because they either sounded cheap due to miniscule budgets, were formula releases, or both. I consequently ignored them in favour of discs that deserved some time and effort.
 
This largely instrumental CD certainly deserves attention. Yes, it is a praise release, but this adds tracks like “I’ll Wait and Pray” and “Wade in the Water” to the more typical “Amazing Grace” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” I don’t know what budget was allowed for this project, but that doesn’t matter, because the key here is freedom to play. Edwards has gathered round himself a team that he plainly respects and trusts, and they do what jazz musicians should do – play, and let the music flow freely, with feeling.
 
Consequently, you never know quite where the music will lead and it rarely lets you down. There is a great vibe that drives these pieces with a palpable sense of energy; a pace not too great for subtlety, but a tremendous purposefulness. Ironically, it may be that they are normally so restricted that having this chance to worship freely inspires them to make the most of the opportunity.
 
The disc offers music for a range of ages and tastes. As well as those mentioned earlier, there are past classics that current worship leaders may not even know, such as “Put Your Hand in the Hand” and “Glory Glory, Hallelujah.” But there are also more modern pieces like “How Great is our God” and the Vineyard piece “You are Mighty,” which is exhilarating and yet full of deft touches (if you know the ‘70s jazz-rock fusion outfit Solution, you may have an idea of what to expect).
 
Of the styles in the work’s less-than-snappy name, there is little that I would all swing (the nearest is probably “Hymn to Freedom,” with its “Reet Petite”-style intro boogie piano and languid brass); not much more that is mostly gospel (the only full vocal track is a powerful and energetic “How I Got Over”); but plenty of jazz, which has always been Edwards’ strength.
 
Although under four minutes, Edwards seems to get several sections out of “Put Your Hand,” from a New Orleans feel to a more classic piano-based jazz, as well as pulling a couple of extra riffs from the song – very taut composition indeed. “Amazing Grace” gets a similar treatment.
 
Andy Payani puts some fluid sax playing into “I’ll Wait and Pray” (previously recorded by John Coltrane with Sarah Vaughan), and the atmospherics on Chris Tomlin’s “How Great is our God” make it a version unlike any other of the song.
 
Disappointments are hard to find. After Mavis Staples’ amazing “Wade in the Water” from last year’s live project, fuelled by the decades-long wait for black equality and the joy of seeing Obama take the top spot, this version seems quite tame. That said, its catchy motif still buzzes around the head long after it has finished playing.
 
Full credit to the label for letting some class musicians play freely. With smart arrangements, fiery horns, some delectable piano runs and arresting interplay, this brings so much more glory to God than factory efforts and it deserves a wide audience. Superb.
 
Derek Walker