Rachel Musson’s Skein

Rachel Musson – tenor saxophone Alcyona Mick – piano Will Collier – double bass Javier Carmona – drums Josh Morrison ‐ drums

“Skein” is the brainchild of saxophonist Rachel Musson. With a background playing in groups led by drummer Sebastian Rochford (she was a member of the first incarnation of Polar Bear) and avant-saxophonist/composer Caroline Kraabel (the 20-strong, Buffalo Boot-wearing Mass Producers), as well as having recorded alongside the likes of Steve Buckley and NYC-based Federico Ughi (Ughi: The Space Within), on their debut CD Flight Line (F-IRE Records) Rachel leads a stellar group including acclaimed pianist Alcyona and improv drummer Javier Carmona through 10 original compositions and a one-track homage to her Welsh roots.

Both the compositions and Rachel’s playing have a strong melodic sense reminiscent of the Loose Tubes-era musicians, enlivened by two drummers (Madrid-born free improv percussionist Javier Carmona and the jazzier Josh Morrison) and underpinned by Will Collier’s solid bass. Add to this the distinctive pianisms of Alcyona Mick, who effortlessly fuses elements of Monk, Bartok and gamelan music into her own unique style, and Rachel’s own improvisations revealing a new raw, vocalized edge borne of her increasing improv leanings, and you will hear a band where the unexpected can and does happen, where structure and freedom, control and abandon, do joyfully coexist.

Rachel Musson’s Skein: Flight Line (F-IRE CD37)

What the press have said:

This album's originality and assured tenor‐sax playing ought to make Rachel Musson a hot ticket in 2011 **** John Fordham (The Guardian)

Her band, Skein (pianist Alcyona Mick, bassist Will Collier and drummers Josh Morrison and Javier Carmona) are appropriately versatile and musicianly, whether skipping delicately through Musson's perkier themes or stoking her considerable fire and energy on the earthier material, on which her saxophone utilises the affecting vocalised tones and textures more frequently found in freely improvised music. Overall, a highly auspicious debut from an accomplished composer and soloist. Chris Parker, 2010 (The Vortex)

An assured début from a saxophonist and composer whose reputation on the UK scene is sure to be enhanced by this highly accomplished release. Ian Mann (The Jazz Mann), 2010

The compositions are strong and multi‐layered, the musicians excellent. JJ Wheeler, 2010 (The Jazz Breakfast)

For her debut as a leader, former Polar Bear associate Rachel Musson has assembled a fresh‐sounding quintet with some distinctive voices. Daniel Spicer, 2010 (Jazzwise)

Flight Line sees an emphatic two‐drummer band (it can be done) supporting Musson on a set of originals. Her growly yet articulate tenor playing – a bit Getz, a bit Lou Gare, mostly her – is a joy. Roger Thomas, (2011 Jazz UK)

Guardian 6/1/2011 by John Fordham

Jazzwise, December 2010, by Daniel Spicer

Jazz UK, January/February 2011, by Roger Thomas

Rachel Musson

Rachel Musson's tenor saxophone raises her heartfelt chant on John Lewis wonderful melody "Django"; in "Remember" Ughi stands aside and Musson has the chance to create a solo of sore formal poise. CD of the week Sisifo, All About Jazz

Rachel Musson deploys the higher register of the tenor to haunting effect. Jazz Journal

Rachel Musson on quietly burning tenor. London Jazz Blogspot (Sebastian Scotney), September 2009

Rachel Musson played with an authority and a variety of timbre…she has no shortage of courage. Sebastian Scotney – London Jazz Blogspot

Musson's unusual blend of a melody‐building lightness with a raw, free‐jazzy multiphonic palette… this album's originality and assured tenor‐sax playing ought to make her a hot ticket in 2011. John Fordham

Rachel Musson's tenor saxophone raises her heartfelt chant. All About Jazz

Rachel Musson deploys the higher register of the tenor to haunting effect. Jazz Journal

She has no shortage of courage. Sebastian Scotney

Her ability to infuse her robust, often grainily personal tenor sound with buoyancy and lightness… her considerable fire and energy …her saxophone utilises the affecting vocalised tones and textures… Chris Parker