Transatlantic jazz supergroup return with anticipated second album of honest, joyful music with strong stories.

As their name suggests, The Impossible Gentlemen are no ordinary band. Crossing generational and geographical boundaries, this jazz supergroup is a unique experience both for the musicians and for audiences.

This second album finds them branching out further, taking new risks and making music that is adventurous, accessible and tinged with sometimes surreal humour. In addition to the established quartet of Gwilym Simcock, Mike Walker, Steve Swallow and Adam Nussbaum, 13 Grammy award-winner and touring member Steve Rodby now takes on a greater role, serving as producer and playing bass on two tracks. He brings a wealth of ideas and experience from his career working with Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays.

Three tracks are co-writes between Simcock and Walker. Both of these excellent musicians are used to more auteurist compositional scenarios, so this collaborative process took the musicians away from their comfort zones and kept the music fresh and exciting. Sometimes this was a matter of Walker adding key detail to a virtually completed Simcock tune (Modern Day Heroes), at others (Love in Unexpected Places), the pieces emerged naturally from rehearsals. Walker's interest in blurring the lines between jazz, rock, pop and classical music is an ever-present feature.

Humour is also an important aspect of this album's idiosyncratic character. Heute Loiter begins with Mike Walker grappling for the right sound on his guitar, whilst Crank of Cam Bay was inspired by one of Steve Swallow's stories about a man whose hideaway vacation home is interrupted with the sounds of marauding hoards of tourist families and whom he heckles with a megaphone. It features the voice of Swallow himself.

This is honest, joyful music that tells a strong story and takes the listener on a journey. A key aspiration for the band is longevity, and they seem poised to succeed. This is music that stands to be listened to repeatedly, yielding new surprises and greater detail with every play.

Track Listing

• Heute Loiter
• Just To See You
• Modern Day Heroes
• The Sliver Of Other Lovers
• Crank Of Cam Bay
• Love In Unlikely Places
• Barber Blues
• Ever After

Additional Details

Label: Basho Music

Genre: Jazz

Language: English

Run Time: 56:56 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 10/01/13

UPC: 832929004322