20th November 2014: Partisans ‘Swamp’ receives more great reviews including 4 stars from The Scotsman, The Telegraph and York Press.

Swamp is the fifth studio album from Partisans, who since their formation in 1996 have been thrilling audiences the world over with their ferociously energetic performances of tightly knit themes and the great freedom coming from their years of playing together. Partisans are real band – known for bridging the gap between New York swing, European improv and UK jam– where the combination of each member’s influences feeds a genuine creative spark generating huge excitement and energy. Co-led by two of the preeminent musicians of their generation, Phil Robson (guitars) and Julian Siegel (tenor sax & bass clarinet), the quartet line-up is completed by Thaddeus Kelly (bass) and Gene Calderazzo (drums).

The album has been receiving a continued flurry of great reviews in the UK press. We reproduce the highlights below:

“Their edgy, energised sound and creative and imaginative improvisations have been a major influence on the UK’s burgeoning “prog-jazz” scene, and their palpable sense of collective engagement in the music never wavers.”
4 Stars, The Scotsman

“Phil Robson’s inventiveness on the guitar is unstoppable, and the band’s melodies have a gripping shape and direction. Partisans have been together for nearly two decades, and on the evidence of this album could easily run for two more.
4 Stars, The Telegraph (Full Review)

“Partisans are certainly challenging, but in the best possible way… an incredibly exciting band to hear live.”
4 Stars, York Press

“It’s not always easy to find the words to describe just how good this group is, their music never fails to delight. Like its predecessors “Swamp” is instantly accessible but will doubtless continue reveal fresh insights with every subsequent listening. There’s an indefinable “something” about Partisans, a group sound, identity and solidarity that you only get with a regular working band. That this supremely accomplished album was recorded over the course of just two days is testament to the depth of the group’s rapport.
4.5 Stars, The Jazz Mann

“Kelly is usually the sure centre around which the other three swirl, soar, dip and dive, but he too takes his chances, weaving warm and flowing lines like strings of honey through the guitar runs, the saxophone swells and the snare accents. Robson gets to tweak the energy levels more with Partisans, and the band segues easily from jazz cool to rock hot. Siegel plays a more solid Watson to Robson’s sometimes wayward Holmesian indulgences. Between them they always get their man.”
The Jazz Breakfast (Full Review)

“Still exploring the possibilities available to such open-minded and spirited musicians.”
The Blue Moment (Full Review)

 Partisans have  recently been receiving airplay on Jazz FM, Radio Kerry and Dublin City FM. Listen to a recent interview featuring Julian Siegal and Phil Robson from Partisans here.