4th September 2014: BIG NEWS: WWR to release the debut album from bassist and composer Max Luthert OCT 27, ’14

Orbital is the debut album from double bassist and composer Max Luthert, one of the UK’s most in-demand young musicians currently known for his work as a sideman in the bands of Zara McFarlane, WWR signed Partikel and Benet McLean. Largely heralded for his skills on the low end providing strong support with his signature dark & husky bass sound, he now steps up with this shimmering debut to showcase his strengths as bandleader, arranger and fine composer.

Luthert’s group features long-standing musical collaborators in fellow Partikel leader Duncan Eagles (tenor saxophone), WWR artists Gareth Lockrane (flute) and Dave Hamblett (drums), Matt Robinson (piano) & Séb Pipe (alto saxophone), and from the first note it’s clear that this sextet is at ease with itself having performed together in a myriad of musical situations over the years. As individuals they shine while navigating Luthert’s emotive originals with wit and aplomb. .

Max explains, “When I started writing the music for Orbital the only elements I had in place were the musicians and the recording date. Being in London there is a plethora of incredible musicians with their own sounds and approaches to music and after working with each of the musicians on the record in various ensembles and guises throughout the last few years I knew that when put together they would create the sound I was hearing when I decided to form my own group.”

“With that in mind I then embarked on writing the music for Orbital. I found myself being inspired the most by books I was reading and as a result a number of the tracks are named after places or phrases. I was very keen that the compositions tried to replicate what I was imaging in the scenes of the books,”

The songs on Orbital blend intricate and modal harmony with sometimes irregular time signatures and forms next to anthemic themes, while Luthert grounds the ensemble with highly personal bass lines matched with poignant improvisations. The blending of the flute with the two saxophones creates a lush soundscape that marks this debut out as a welcomed & ambitious first outing that will no doubt firmly kickstart the career of one of Britain’s finest young bassist/composers.

And make sure to see Max’s entire band on the road this fall, here are the tour dates so far:

20th October 2014 – Pizza Express Jazz Club (Dean Street) “Album Launch” show
18th January 2015 – Ashburton Jazz Club
19th January – North Devon Jazz Club
21st January – Dempsey’s
23rd January – Sheffield Jazz Club
24th January – The Capstone Theatre

click here for more sound samples from the record.