DANIEL CASIMIR – BALANCE (2024) (Bandcamp)

Put on Bandcamp in digital format only, this album has attracted so much attention that there’s a vinyl pressing coming. Casimir is a bassist/ composer on an album that “encapsulates Big Band energy”, although the way I would put it is ‘small big band’, with plenty of space for the musicians to express themselves, shown early on by a spirited sax solo on opener ‘Music Not Numbers’. There are 26 in all including the London Contemporary Orchestra, an octet of violins, violas and cellos. The title track is driven by Casimir’s fluid bass, with Jamie Murray’s drums given a little bit of the spotlight. ‘I’ll Take My Chances’ is a vocal track delivered by the soulful Ria Moran, featuring a fine Binker Golding sax solo. ‘Believe’ has a real cinematic sound, the bassist, whose playing is exemplary throughout, playing high up the fretboard. ‘In Search for Goldilocks’ is trumpet led, with a well-constructed piano break. The album was apparently inspired by WAYNE SHORTER’s “Emanon” album, and of a sensible length. ‘Nuff said!