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>> CHURCH OF LOGICK - HOWL - JEWEL IN THE LOTUS - GREEN TROMAN STREET - A LOVE SUPREME - BOOK OF THE LAW

>>> JAZZREVIEW magazine - Coventry Telegraph - Birmingham Post

A new wave of regular gigs has just started at The Rainbow, in Digbeth, promoted by the Birmingham Jazz organisation. This fine old public house has an excellent music policy, and has lately become an occasional roost for the jazz vulture.

Next Thursday night, the Church Of Logick will be gathered, with an admission that's either free or just a couple of quid's donation, depending upon which website is perused. This Birmingham-based quartet is ostensibly a collective, although the organisational presence of its keyboardist Steve Tromans does loom large. The Church takes its name from a number by the US groove trio Medeski Martin & Wood, from their Combustication album. It's a nod to the extended funk practices that are also employed by Tromans, guitarist Frank Moon, bassist Mike Green and drummer Carl Hemmingsley.

I caught the Church only last Sunday in Symphony Hall, as part of the ArtsFest all-afternoon Cool Fingers programme, devoted to the art of jazz piano. Tromans leads the band into a series of tightly rhythmic pieces, developing a cyclic piano or synthesiser figure which is underpinned by Green's treacly basslines and Hemmingsley's breakbeat-influenced drum-patterns. Moon tends to take most of the solo weight, pouring out long lines that are textured by careful use of electronic effects, and various devices which he uses instead of a plectrum.

Most of the ArtsFest audience probably didn't know what they were about to receive, but were audibly impressed by a powerful set.