Alex Pipes: Square One (digital outlets)

With his playing and production expertise, not to mention his international experience, saxophonist/flautist Nathan Haines has been lending his cachet to a number of local jazz artists these past few years.

And he appears on the track Blue Fluff on this exciting debut album by Auckland guitarist Alex Pipes who – having studied at the University of Auckland – can also call on bassist Olivier Holland and drummer Ron Samsom (both tutors there) for the atmospheric Pasifika sound of the too-brief and appropriately titled Breathing Space at the midpoint.

That short interlude sits between pieces which run close to the jazz fusion of the Seventies with a decent measure of jazz funk and dance grooves.

The playing and arrangement of 552 brings to mind Al Di Meola from that period and the measured Momo has a surging energy as Pipes digs deep but then pulls back to allow the piece to rebuild to a rolling boil though the keyboards of Joe Kaptein (of The Circling Sun and Princess Chelsea's band).

Chant which follows Breathing Space arrives with power chords and the saxophone of Andrew Isdale (Katchafire).

Again Pipes writes a smart composition which is built around seemingly effortless dynamic changes and shifts of emphasis from central soloing and ensemble playing.

Also on hand here are that generation of players behind Haines who, in his early Fifties, is approaching senior statesman status after 40 years of playing.

Haines -- who grew up influenced by fusion, notably Weather Report -- is right at home here on alongside Pipes, bassist Will Goodinson, drummer Elijah Whyte and percussion player Ben Frater, all young players of considerable calibre.

Square One – a loaded title – is a supremely confident debut album by Pipes, not just for his playing and compositions but the embedded sense he knew exactly what he wanted to achieve, found the players to help him do it and then pulled it off impressively.

Quite an achievement.

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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here