Benet McLean | Green Park | November 24, 2023
Release: November 24, 2023
A prodigious talent who studied violin from the age of 3, Benet McLean initially emerged on the London jazz scene as a pianist, releasing a string of critically acclaimed albums and garnering praise from the likes of MOJO, Jazzwise, The Guardian and the BBC. Returning to his first instrument, McLean’s debut solo album on violin Green Park is set to release on November 24thon Sea Mammal Records.
McLean’s career has seen him perform and record with international names including Laura Mvula, Daniel Casimir, Binker Golding, Omar, Partikel, Soweto Kinch, Julian Joseph and more. Joined on his new album by some of London’s most talented artists in Duncan Eagles on tenor saxophone and flute, Liam Dunachieon piano and organ, Rio Kai on double bass and Zoe Pascal on drums, Green Park reflects the energy and musical melting pot of the quintet’s live shows together.
Combining influences ranging from hard bop to fusion, Green Park juxtaposes warm, joyful melodies with tense, driving pulses and dream-like sequences to etch out a vivid, visceral picture. Recorded at Porcupine Studios and Love Electric Studios in London, and mixed at Studios La Buissonne in France, the record’s organic production captures the spirited performances with closeness, honesty and edge. Song structures evoking jazz standards, deep swing grooves, angular lines and startling virtuosity come together to give Green Park elements of tradition and modernity in equal measure.
Speaking on the catalyst behind Green Park, McLean says, “The general vibe of the past few years has felt intense, and it got me thinking about just how much the vibe and the energy in our lives can change. I wanted to try and capture the feeling of some of those shifting energies we experience during our lives.”
Line up
Benet McLean | Violin
Duncan Eagles | Tenor Saxophone, Flute (track 6)
Liam Dunachie | Piano, Organ
Rio Kai | Double Bass
Zoe Pascal | Drums
Track Listing
Blue Fingers
Lucy
Red
Fuller Love
Mr Bap
The Pharaoh
Jo