The Heritage Orchestra - The Heritage Orchestra(Brownswood, 2006)
Marriage of nu-jazz rhythms and classical instrumentation gets thumbs-up from Gilles Peterson.
With sprawling, symphonic arrangements, jazz solos and snappy broken beats, the 45-piece Heritage Orchestra is a crossover dream come true. Part classical ensemble, part nu-jazz big band, it's easy to see why Gilles Peterson signed the band for his new record label, Brownswood.
A youthful classical orchestra, their eight-piece rhythm section includes ace improvisers (not least Ross Stanley on Rhodes and piano), while Ninja Tune's Chris Bowden adds acid-sharp alto sax to an already accomplished wind section. The cocktail of improvisers and classicists is great on Mothers And Daughters Now Mothers, as gutsy ensemble work swirls into hard-edged blaxploitation funk with a fire-breathing solo from Bowden.
