Worldservice Project at Ryan's Bar

Worldservice Project at Ryan's Bar

29 September, 2008
by: JHallam

With a subtle nod towards the BBC, the Worldservice Project are an experimental London jazz fusion quintet. Music graduates from the University of York and Leeds College of Music, the group aren't short of a few jazz credentials. With performances that include Brecon Fringe Festival, NCEM Jazz and The Great North Big Band Festival under their belt, the band declare themselves poised to ignite the London Jazz scene. But everyone has to start somewhere, which is why I find myself heading down to Ryan's Bar, Stoke Newington.

A nondescript bar in east London, my first thought on arrival is "Shit. This ain’t the place. I really must buy an A to Z." As if on cue, the distinct melody of a soprano saxophone emanates from the basement. I stumble downstairs to find a 'cosy' live music room that can only be described as 'red', with the Worldservice Project in full swing.

While some jazz ensembles are almost inaccessible with wild time signatures and bizarre key changes, the Project’s jazz theory is underpinned by gritty funk elements that produce a distinctive musical flow. And it really works. Immediately I'm immersed in soulful trombone and saxophone playing accompanied by a blend of keyboard, bass and drums that hold down a juicy progression. When I open the door, it sounds even better.

Individual talent is evanescent throughout the band. The drummer doesn't appear to be paying attention but he’s laying down a cymbal-heavy beat that complements funk-orientated bass lines masterfully. The trombonist and sax player are battling at the front of the stage with great rhythmic hooks and intertwining lead work that creates a sumptuous aura about the group. And the pianist jumps from subtle chord changes to heavy stabs and full-on solos that at times sound as if he's whacking the piano keys with a big hammer.

The two sets the band play are designed to demonstrate their range of music with hints of The Cinematic Orchestra, Bill Evans and Guy Barker in their playing. The first consists of a cool and easy-listening jazz session, with the second expressing their more abstract side with, at times, each member completely going off on one simultaneously and then all coming back together in an instant.

Although I spend a large portion of the evening attempting to chat up the door girl, I catch enough to leave convinced it won’t be long before we see these guys playing Ronnie Scott's. Lovely stuff.

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JHallam