The Ben Cox Band
This Waiting Game
Cinnamon Records
The opening title track has up and coming pianist Jamie Safiruddin setting up the album for the listener quite nicely. It’s mellow and is just what lead vocalist Ben Cox needs to accompany him for this traditional vocal jazz album. ‘When Ends Appear’ features a horn section that give the song a bit of a kick but Ben Cox (who is yet to graduate from London’s Guildhall of Music) doesn’t really follow it up. ‘Blessed Are the Bleak’ has interesting lyrics and the drums (Will Glaser) and bass (Flo Moore) flow really well. The album is produced by established jazz-circuit performer Ian Shaw and it feels like his knowledge and love of the genre played a big part in the production. He would have been well aware of all the nuances and idiosyncrasies in the British Jazz scene and he is exactly who The Ben Cox Band needed to work with.
The Beatles ‘And I Love Her’ for me is the highlight of this record because it is suited for Ben’s voice and the arrangement is original and creates this disorientated swirly effect whilst on ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ Ben is joined by a female vocalist but I am not entirely sure whether it is Emily Dankworth or Claire Martin on this song. However, both voices complement each other and the song paints a beautiful picture. ‘Either Or’ is the band at their most comfortable and I really can hear the Jamie Cullum influence in terms of pacing.
‘Country Song’ is not a yee-haw banjo song, it is actually about the English countryside. However, it sounds so much like The Pogues ‘Fairytale of New York’ sped up I really don’t understand what it is trying to be. ‘Slumber’ is quite uncomfortable as Ben croons ‘the world must think we’re lovers, I don’t care we’re more like brothers’. It’s a bit like when someone asks you your opinion on an argument and you reply ‘I’m not getting involved in this.’ I’m not going to even begin to attempt deciphering this as it probably is just a song about sleeping but it might be darker than that.
Closer ‘This Happy Madness’ starts in another language and slowly builds up to another duet with another female. Scatting is an additional aspect of the song which works but it is as captivating as it really could be.
It is really fantastic to see young adults interested in jazz music as it can be seen as a genre that only appeals to older generations. The Ben Cox Band consists of talented musicians who know what they are doing but it isn’t very exciting. The songs, albeit original actually make me feel quite sad and it just would have been better to hear a mixture of lighter and darker tracks. Having said that, I can appreciate the time and effort that has gone into this album and they will do well at jazz clubs across the UK.
Glenn Sargeant
The album is released on Monday 13th April 2015
For more information visit: http://www.bencoxband.com/
