Greg Foat - Symphonie Pacifique
During the Covid 19 pandemic the Summer of 2020 has brought some amazing music to the forefront. Once such an album is UK jazz pianist, Greg Foat’s latest “Symphonie Pacifique” on Strut Records. This album has been my soundtrack for the summer and fall as I have navigated these unusual times. I’m a bit biased as I really enjoy most of Foat’s releases but there is something about this one that really stands out. Foat effortlessly bounces between cinematic soundscapes and electronic vibrations, all the while stretching the boundaries of jazz and it’s connection to other genres.
Foat really flexes his composition muscles on this album. “It has been a hallmark of my previous albums to use choral voices and tubular bells to sound more like chordal instruments,” explains Foat. “I used pedal steel for the first time on these tracks.” All are showcased on the atmospheric ‘After The Storm’. “This piece was completely improvised during our last day of studio time,” continues Foat. “The assistant engineer had set up an arpeggio on the synthesizer as a metronome; the harp and guitar created an ostinato, myself and others soloed over it and we later added choir and strings. Eventually, we took the arpeggio off to leave a calm, serene piece of music.” Foat’s attention to detail and taking risk works well for him. Check out this album, you will not be disappointed.