Norma Winstone

Azimuth, the trio of pianist John Taylor, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and singer Norma Winstone, already sounded like a fully-fledged ensemble when this, the group’s first album was released in 1977. Expanding and roaming beyond the spectrum the vocal jazz genre was usually limited to, Azimuth proved of a progressive spirit from the start. Upon the debut’s release, Melody Maker remarked that “this album may (…) be the first sign of [John Taylor’s] evolution into a genuinely important composer: behind its graceful flowing beauty lies a spirit of inquiry which will surely lead further.”

The reunion between pianist John Taylor, singer Norma Winstone and trumpeter Kenny Wheeler finds Azimuth (which was always a part-time group) performing fairly spacy improvisations. All of the selections are group originals (mostly by Taylor), except for Bobo Stenson's "Mindiatyr" and an almost unrecognizable reshaping of "How Deep Is the Ocean." Taylor sometimes recalls Keith Jarrett, while Wheeler comes across as the most conventional of the three participants, and Winstone's voice keeps the music from getting too comfortable or predictable. Interesting but not essential music from three adventurous spirits.