Cassie Kinoshi’s seed – gratitude
(International Anthem. Album Review by Tony Dudley-Evans)

Cassie Kinoshi is becoming one of the most important alumnae of the Tomorrow’s Warriors group of young musicians.  She has been a member of Nerija and Kokoroko, but is now focusing on her role as a composer.  She has been commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, Manchester Camerata as well as for the un.procedure group she co-leads with Piera Onacko and Nathan England-Jones. Last year she arranged the music of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite for the McOnie Dance Group which presented the work at the South Bank’s Tuff Nutt Jazz Club.

In gratitude, Cassie Kinoshi has written a significant four-part piece for an 18-piece ensemble consisting of members of her own Seed group,members of the London Contemporary Orchestra including four string players and turntablist NikNak.   The theme of gratitude is developed through different moods in the four movements; the first movement is contemplative, almost melancholy, but gradually the mood changes over the next three movements.  The third movement is enigmatic and mysterious, but it gradually becomes quite optimistic leading into the fourth movement which is upbeat and positive.  The album finishes with a track recorded at the Total Refreshment Centre with just members of Seed; this rounds it all off with a relaxed jazz groove and a fine solo from Kinoshi on the alto sax.

The writing and the organisation of the piece are excellent.  Transitions from the full ensemble passages to the small group interactions are extremely well handled, particularly with the two short interludes between the second and third movements and between the third and fourth, which add a contrasting, slightly quirky mood.  Also impressive is the way the writing integrates solos from guitar (Shirley Tetteh), the brass section ( Jack Banjo Courtney, trumpet and Joe Bristow, trombone) and interjections from the turntable (NikNak).

This important work brings together aspects of jazz and classical music, but always feels contemporary and reflective of urban British life.   

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LINK: Bandcamp