Empirical - Wonder Is The Beginning (Vinyl LP)

 Real groups are a rarity in contemporary jazz, where musicians so often come together for single projects then disperse again once they are done: groups that endure for fifteen years, without ever slackening in their quest for the new and the fresh, are all but unheard of. Empirical started their journey in 2007: now 2023 sees their triumphant return, after the disruptions of the recent years, taking their rightful place at the centre of the UK scene with Wonder Is The Feeling – a stunning new album that shows the fire is still undimmed and their commitment to maintaining the legacy while pushing at the frontiers of the possible is as strong as ever. The personnel of the best-dressed quartet in town remains the same – Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Tom Farmer (double bass), Lewis Wright (vibraphone) and Shaney Forbes (drums) dazzle with the telepathic empathy that can only be attained after thousands of performances together – but their palette is expanded by the presence of two remarkable guests. Alex Hitchcock contributes his voice on tenor sax to represent the rising generation of virtuoso players, while Jason Rebello adds his unmistakeable presence on piano as well as the towering reputation he’s built over a thirty-five year international career.