ATA Records are proud to announce the new album People of the Fast Flowing River from Work Money Death, following previous album successes Work Money Death “This album can only be a future classic” – Jazzman Gerald, and Thought Action Interaction Reaction “Sounds sublime” – Gilles Peterson. 2024 began with a European outing for Work Money Death to the Brussels Jazz Festival, and the group returned to Leeds inspired, with new tracks ready to put down.
Pianist Richard Ormrod, bassist Neil Innes, and drummer Sam Hobbs provide a trio backing for tenor saxophonist Tony Burkill on this heartfelt and charged excursion into the further realms of spiritual jazz: the four extended-play tracks range in influence from India to Central Africa to the Baptist church, and from the meditative blues sound of Alice Coltrane [The River Becomes The Stream] to the soulful swagger of Galt MacDermot [We Are The People].
Throughout, the quartet is supported by the horns of Ormrod, Johnny Enright (tbn, tuba), and Olivia Cuthill & Tom Sharp (tpts), the percussion of Danny Templeman.
Whether it’s the harmonium on Headwaters Of The Soul, the congas and driving shekere on The Fast Flowing River, the trilling flute behind the sax on We Are The People & The River Becomes The Stream, or Burkill’s impassioned and perfectly-paced tenor explorations throughout the whole, this album is full of nuanced details that speak of a love of the genre, and a deep commitment to the Work Money Death philosophy of making high-quality improvised recordings that tap into the roots of spiritual jazz.
