REVIEW: Nimbus Sextet – Trap Door

REVIEW: Nimbus Sextet – Dreams Fulfilled

If you think of the modern funk, jazz charm of Incognito mixed with Bobby Hutcherson vibes and sweet soulful vocals lifted from the very best that Stax had to offer you’re bound to feast upon the new album delivered by Glasgow based collective Nimbus Sextet. Led by Joe Nichols, he tinkles the ivories like the best there is as opening track Trap Door exhibits. Heart stopping horns mixed with a backing band supported by the back bone rhythm section of Mischa Stevens on bass and break beat specialist Alex Palmer on drums whilst the rest of the combo who make the fine racket were enticed no doubt by the charming delight of the sound of this magic band.

Further spirited numbers on the album include Lilly White featuring Anthony Thomaz on the microphone, vocalizing in-between the music like a modern day James Brown without the flares, splits and shoulder shuffles towards the backing band. Deep Dark Blue Lights has that phat edge around its midriff, Donald Duck rumbling bass, Bernard Purdie drums with meaty sounding chord patterns leaving no doubt to the hours spent of dedication learning their craft crouched over their instruments, imagine watching The Headhunters live at the Fillmore and you’re just about there.

Klara has reflective reverberations as Nichols shows off more of those delicious piano fills without displaying cheesy grins towards the crowd as he plays, Séance which dates back to 2018 also finds a home on the album. The album delivers in the same sharp and crisp vein as previous Acid Jazz long players in the guise of The Brand New Heavies debut, Corduroys imaginative soundtrack extravaganza Dad Man Cat or even the The James Taylor Quartet’s modern jazz anthemic In The Hand Of The Inevitable. If this is the mark of what is to come from this cool bag of jazz cats expect more exciting things from Scotland’s most exciting soul act since Lulu.

Trap Door is available via the following link