Jez Franks' Compassionate Dictatorship: Coup D'Etat
FMR FMRCD233-057
Jez Franks (el g, bar el g), Tori Freestone (ts), Jasper Hoiby (b) and Ben Reynolds (d). Rec. Jan 2007


A gutsy but thoughtful quartet album, Coup D'Etat is a notable addition to the ever-growing quality shown by forward-thinking Brit jazz groups. Already a member of Tom Arthur's Centripede and Asaf Sirki's Inner Noise, Jez Franks is an accomplished guitarist, capable of dazzling runs and meaty chord play that at times remind me of Kurt Rosenwinkel. Better still is how he channels this ability.

Compassionate Dictatorship is primarily a collaboration with excellent saxophonist Tori Freestone and makes for a very impressive listen, both through the improvisation and loose, at times free-ish, group dynamics. The Hang sounds just as it should do a raw, highly open encounter between Franks' moody electric guitar and Freestone's robust tenor work (at times recalling the rawness of Archie Shepp, at others the finesse of post-bop modernists).

There is also great work around the edges from drummer Ben Reynolds and fine support from Danish bassist Jasper Hoiby. Later on, the group stretch and improvise loosely over delightfully open grooves such as Brain Pickle, while the moody Seizmic shows Franks has brains to go with his brawn. Musically both tough and tender, Franks and Freestone are a great partnership.

Tom Barlow