Fringe Magnetic: Clocca

Clocca
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Artist: Fringe Magnetic
Genre: Jazz
Label: Loop Records

The imminent break-up Fringe Magnetic is hardly the most promising news to accompany a new release. But trumpeter Rory Simmons's announcement that Clocca will be the last recording from his ensemble is also evidence of a musician who is restlessly searching for new sounds. Simmons is best known for his association with crooner and piano thumper Jamie Cullum, and his three recordings with Fringe Magnetic breathe the more rarefied air at the frontier between jazz and contemporary classical music. That might suggest something drily academic, but Simmons's adept writing for his 12-piece ensemble (including pianist Ivo Neame, bassist Jasper Hoiby and saxophonist James Allsop) confounds expectations, creating a brooding, cinematic soundscape that at times sounds almost sweet and uplifting. Almost. rorysimmons.com

Cormac Larkin

Cormac Larkin

Cormac Larkin, a contributor to The Irish Times, is a musician, writer and director