James Mainwaring - Mycorrhiza

Cat. no: DISCUS111CD
Format: CD
Barcode: 5051078987927
Release Date: 13 Aug 2021
Genre: Jazz

New album from virtuoso saxophonist James Mainwaring that appears to occupy its own space, the strings evoke 1970s leftfield BBC documentary soundtracks - the other closest reference point might be the post-Henry Cow body of music, or avant-rock group News From Babel.

The album flows like a single piece, in a calm and restrained, yet unsettling way, and the rhythmic content ramps up towards the end. As the album progresses it becomes centred around the human voices which give this work much of its special character. In reflection of restraint, interestingly, James, who is a, is very sparing with his solos, giving them a different kind of impact. On alto and tenor, they are present most clearly towards the ends of ‘Statues’, ‘Year of the Snake’, ‘Woken up by Dogs’, and mid-way through ‘Our Lungs’.

James Mainwaring is a saxophonist, composer and singer songwriter based in Leeds. Since moving to Leeds to study at Leeds Conservatoire where he is now a tutor; he has released three albums with the Mercury Prize, Jazz FM and MOBO nominated Roller Trio and toured extensively throughout the UK, Ireland, Europe, as well as British Council funded performances in South Korea and North Sudan. As well as a bandleader/collaborator, he has toured/recorded as a sideman with artists such as Nduduzo Makathini, (Ikhambi), Django Django, John Law (Configuration), Dave Kane, Morten Schantz, Sean Foran, Martin Archer, and Space Fight.

James Mainwaring: saxophones, compositions, arrangements, lyrics, vocals, field recordings / granular synth, Fender Rhodes, piano, and flutes
Aby Vulliamy: viola, vocals
Michael Bardon: cello, double bass
Fergus Quill: double bass
Steve Hanley: drums
Chris Sharkey: electronics

Tracks: Intro / Dawn / Komorebi / Roots / Machines / Statues / Dotted Line / Web / Interlude / Our Lungs / Globe / Year Of The Snake / Woken Up By Dogs