One of those musicians whose work is universally known and whose names are cherished mostly by aficionados, Max Middleton is composer and player par excellence. While everyone’s familiar with his instrumental ballad “The Loner” that Gary Moore took into millions of homes and everybody’s heard his Fender Rhodes on Kate Bush’s “Babooshka” – to mention but two of the English keyboardist’s credits, which most notably include a stint with Jeff Beck and performances on the guitarist’s hugely influential “Blow By Blow” – the veteran’s own records remain the connoisseurs’ domain. Not that Max issued too many platters, his last released in 2013, and still the arrival of a follow-up to “Two Cranes” feels like something to celebrate.
Called “New Notes” and consisting of 14 tracks, Middleton’s new album clearly demonstrates a temporal theme – at least, a few numbers’ titles suggest so – yet expresses its concern with passage of time mainly in jazz-rock terms, with focus on piano, rather than synthesizers, although it’s not a one-man affair, as the master artist is accompanied by a small band of friends. Charming and adventurous, the disc’s out now.
New Notes
1. It’s A Rum Day
2. Summer Comes Around
3. White Vermouth
4. July Days
5. Who’s Worried Now?
6. Dog Days Too
7. Back To Work
8. Another Fine Mess
9. Doodlin’
10. Negroni (Was My Downfall)
11. Sloe Down Gin
12. Minor To Major
13. Waiting For The Sun
14. Indian Summer
