26th November 2011: JazzWise bigs up Partikel big time……..

Many across the UK are buzzing about a band, and their name is Partikel. Here’s what JazzWise has to say………….

For the JazzWise article on their website, click HERE
It’s been a busy year for London-based sax-bass-drums trio Partikel with numerous festival and club appearances and a burgeoning reputation as one of the hottest young bands on the UK jazz scene. Led by tenor saxophonist Duncan Eagles (pictured) and featuring bassist Max Luthert and drummer Eric Ford, Partikel create a surprisingly melodic sound that melds edgy New York style dynamism with multiple African, Latin and rock undercurrents that fuel heady group improvisation and Eagles’ snaking solos. Having established themselves through a long running Monday night residency at the Hideaway club in Streatham, south London, the trio have stormed the likes of Cheltenham, Vancouver and Brecon jazz festivals, particularly at the latter where their dynamic and resourceful set proved their chord-less formation in no way limits the music they explore.

Saxophonist Eagles (who is also a fine soprano sax player) has studied with a whole range of top UK-based saxophonists such as Jean Toussaint and Mark Lockheart during his time at Trinity College of Music. He’s since gone on to play with a wide range of top jazz names that include Shabaka Hutchings, Tomorrow’s Warriors Jazz Orchestra, soul jazz singer Ola Onabule’s international touring band as well as the likes of Gary Husband, John Etheridge, Janek Gwizdala and Kit Downes among many others. Bassist Luthert is equally in-demand performing regularly in the Ronnie Scott’s house band, Andy Davis Quartet, Peter Edwards trio and with significant players on the scene such as Dave O’Higgins, Alex Hutton and Martin Shaw. Drummer Eric Ford originally hails from Liverpool but relocated to Paris after a spell travelling the world playing on a cruise ship. Since settling in London he has pursued various fusion, jazz-rock and world music projects that have seen him work with the likes of Tim Whitehead and Jim Mullen.

Following up to their well-received self-titled 2010 debut album, Cohesion is scheduled for a January 2012 release on Whirlwind Recordings and features 12 new tunes that further explore their potent blend of catchy, hook-laden tunes and punchy MBASE-style grooves. Ford’s skills as a percussionist also help create enticing textural atmospherics while Luthert’s deep bass grooves and clever chords more than compensate for the absence of a piano or guitar in the mix.

The band complete their current UK-wide tour this month but have already lined up a series of dates to support the release of the album. All forthcoming tour dates are as follows: Jazz Club, Guildford (Sunday 27 November); RAFA Club, Kent (30 Nov); Jazz At Lescar, Sheffield (1 February 2012); Jazz Club, Bradford (3 Feb); 606 Club, London (15 Feb); Jazz Club, Teignmouth (23 Feb); The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock (3 March); and Kings Place, London (14 April).