MATT RIDLEY SEXTET - THE ANTIDOTE AT HIDDEN ROOMS JAZZ

Matt Ridley heads The Antidote on bass-photography by Mike Harris

 There is something both striking and stimulating about the brilliantly accomplished musicians who comprise this highly original band. All play together, the ‘ensemble’ style seldom seen in jazz circles. And the compositions from band leader bassist Matt make for a fresh exciting buzz in the room. You must be in the room to begin with.

 The Antidote to what exactly? The name signals a new movement in jazz, a turn in the road. ‘The Antidote to Boring Music?’ suggested Hidden Rooms ingenious host David Gower. Matt Ridley and his musicians offer more than mood swings – The Antidote is a challenge to complacency. Already with three albums out there, this band have attracted a new, following. Suddenly the seats at Cambridge Modern Jazz HQ in Jesus Lane expanded to a new surge of young people, admirers of this exceptional band.

A stunning bass player, Matt also composes the music. Yes, there are some borrowings from the classics but they are creative re-makes of the original. His themes are gently spiritual. I loved ‘40 days’, his reflection on the span of Lent, ( or any 40 days) layers sounds upon sound as the saxophone and flute from Mark Lockheart join with the vigour and volume of Rory Simmons  in a joyous  celebration of the past and future Faith through Grace was ethereally thoughtful. In fact, a lot of the work was. But with a powerful line up to include David Ingamell’s dramatic  drums, quiet it wasn’t. During a setting from the Agnus Dei Grant us Peace I could feel the bones in my chest vibrate. The piano began this fabulous concert as the sublime Ivo Neame conjured fairy spirits for me anyway. Ant Law’s beautiful mellow guitar measured the shock of the new with the romance of the past.

Above it all Matt Ridley ‘s virtuoso bass playing – his own compositions.

The music might be new to classic jazzers but it doesn’t take long before this style,  essentially ensemble performance, to wash over the brain in a wave of delight.