Edition Malija: The Day I Had Everything

2015

MARK LOCKHEART - saxofoane, bas clarinet
JASPER HØIBY - contrabas
LIAM NOBLE - pian

If New Orleans was the first city of jazz; New York, the city that never sleeps: the home of bebop; Paris the city of 50s cool, then, arguably, that dynamic, cosmopolitan, constantly self-reinventing megacity London is the jazz burg of the 21st century.

To a visitor, London is overwhelming – a monster that consumes all in its path, grimey, overcrowded and intense. But it’s been said that London is a collection of villages and to the resident, subtle differences emerge between boroughs, within districts, even along streets. The yearly cycle brings its own complexity. The constant movement of people, wealth and cultures within the smoke create new patterns that are ever changing but are hugely influential on Londoners in obscure and cryptic ways.

The interlinking, interconnectedness of this jazz trio mimics the narrative of the great city. Individual musicians with their own geography, architecture and psychology, their connections with each other pulse in the same dynamic and energetic way that the city’s blood vessels continually pump. The rhythm of the city is a subtle undercurrent in the rhythmic interplay of Malija. The city has got under their skin and become part of what they play.



“The pleasure of this trio in their close relationship is infectiously evident all over the set.” THE GUARDIAN (UK)

“All-star trio delivers meticulously crafted performances of new material…a cliché-free collection and a work of trenchant individuality…The outstanding recorded sound serves to complement the meticulously crafted performances.” THE ARTS DESK (UK)

“The London-based equal partners trio Malija deliver lyrical chamber jazz with a strong pulse and fine-tuned sense of mood”. THE FINANCIAL TIMES (UK)

“Malija delivers the expected deliciously abstruse riches a-plenty, peppered with humour, melodic wit, irregular groove and a vivid descriptive quality.” MOJO (UK)

“The Day I Had Everything is another jewel in the increasingly valuable crown of Edition Records.” THE YORK POST (UK)

“The album has a very personal feel to it contributed to by Lockheart’s gorgeously easy sax tone and the natural sympatico of the group…they are all on top form here…fantastic players, great compositions and a really good group ethos…a great album…” RADIO CARDIFF (UK)

“The title track is no less than a ray of sunshine on a wet, cloudy day and makes for ideal winter listening to recharge the soul. In general, the music is optimistic and encompassing in nature and a bright future seems assured for this trio.” UK VIBE (UK)

“Folky, melodically strong chamber music…folky, melodically strong chamber music, with flavours ranging from bluegrass to tango to contemporary classical, that veers from the carefully written to the liberally improvised.” THE IRISH TIMES (IRE)