Interview – Unfretted.com (2018)

(Click here to read)

Imposition – Rich Perks

(2015 – originally released in 2009)

"I’ve played this through many times and still have not unravelled all its complexities. It is immediately evident that Rich completely understands the fretless guitar and its possibilities. While you could label the music contemporary it by no means describes the album itself. Yes, the music is contemporary and “out there” but remains very understandable and very worth listening to, I guess you would say accessible to a wider audience. There are some nice blended sound effects and the later tracks on the album certainly push the boundaries. I really like the road trip this album takes, not afraid to startle the listener, or disregard the general rules and take off in an unexpected direction. If you want a glimpse into where contemporary music for fretless guitar is going, I really recommend this album, great listening, great music."
- Jahloon (editor of Unfretted)
Unfretted – Album Reviews. September 2015.

"The relationship between composition and improvisation in music has always been contentious, and seems to be a topic around which an inexhaustible debate continues to rage. Rich Perks' contribution wisely stays clear of reaching any conclusions, merely opting to use the increasing freedom of the musicians to improvise as a structural guide through these wide ranging pieces. What is most striking about this music is how it moves from the relatively conservative modal orientation of the first 4 tracks to the gestural sounds and colours of the last 2. 'Double Exposure' sits precariously between the two camps, and the 2nd take of 'ShadEs' provides a suitably recapitulative ending. This is a perilous musical journey to make in the space of one CD, but Rich's guitar holds it all together admirably amongst the range of excellent ensembles, proving perhaps that the personalities of the players involved are ultimately what form the workings of the music."
- Liam Noble (jazz pianist / improviser / composer)
Music Orbit - The Orbiter. October 2009.

"Some very nice playing, good sense of sound and some wonderful ideas."
- Jeff Reilly (CBC producer/ improviser/ composer)

"Very interesting and refreshingly devoid of cliches."
- Shaun Baxter (guitarist/ improviser/ educator)

"Fretless sounds excellent. Loving the glock - you can never have too much glock!"
- Mike Outram (guitarist/ improviser/ composer)



Weapons of Mass Distraction
– Andrew Linham Jazz Orchestra

(2017)

"I’ve played this through many times and still have not unravelled all its complexities. It is immediately evident that Rich completely understands the fretless guitar and its possibilities. While you could label the music contemporary it by no means describes the album itself. Yes, the music is contemporary and “out there” but remains very understandable and very worth listening to, I guess you would say accessible to a wider audience. There are some nice blended sound effects and the later tracks on the album certainly push the boundaries. I really like the road trip this album takes, not afraid to startle the listener, or disregard the general rules and take off in an unexpected direction. If you want a glimpse into where contemporary music for fretless guitar is going, I really recommend this album, great listening, great music." "This 17-piece contemporary big band led by U.K.-based baritone saxophonist, composer and educator Andrew Linham is one of the boldest — and most eccentric — large jazz ensembles performing today.This is a group with chops and personality to spare, not to mention a madcap sense of humor. Performing Linham’s original compositions, the orchestra—which consists of key players on the U.K. scene—covers a huge stylistic ground that ranges from jaunty, old-fashioned big band swing to modern large-ensemble pyrotechnics to pop power ballads. They play with guts and attitude, and manage to inject outrageous humor into even the most demanding of musical passages, striking a perfect balance between the sublime and the ridiculous. Their debut album comes as a pleasant surprise, since previously I had heard of neither Linham (who plays regularly in numerous U.K. big bands) nor his orchestra, which the leader has described as “a loud visceral remedy of jazz-based insanity to warm the cockles of your heart.” It seems that this daring ensemble, which has been performing Linham’s tunes since 2014, flies low under the big band radar, performing mostly in England (including a well-received performance at the London Jazz Festival in 2015). The cleverly titled Weapons Of Mass Distraction firmly establishes the Andrew Linham Jazz Orchestra as a significant addition to today’s big band scene and a group that deserves wider recognition at the international level.”
– Ed Enright: Downbeat Magazine. Dec 2017.


**** – "The ALJO appears to be relatively unknown, one of the great secrets of contemporary British jazz. One suspects that this band would be a hugely exciting prospect in the live environment. I’ve seen several of these musicians performing live before in a variety of different contexts but on the evidence of this recording it would be great to see and hear them all together under Linham’s leadership. Let’s hope this wittily titled album helps to raise his profile, it certainly deserves to do so...Dinosaur Face initially harks back to the styles of earlier jazz epochs in a retro style arrangement featuring Millar on piano, Warner on trumpet and later Andrew Robb on double bass. This is rudely interrupted by a savage outburst of rock influenced guitar from Rich Perks which leads to a more anarchic final section that juxtaposes the two styles with the trombone of Chris Saunders and alto sax of Phil Meadows playing prominent roles. This is a real roller coaster of a piece, and one that neatly sums up the spirit of Linham and his band.”
– Ian Mann: Thejazzmann.com. Jan 2018.


"The arrangements are also intriguing. There seem to be so many aspects and references built seemlessly into the music. At one moment you are listening to a bolero rhythm and then guitarist Rich Perks is taking a Brian May Queen-like solo.”
– Ian Maund: Sandybrownjazz.co.uk. Nov 2017.



Ali Azimi & The Need
European & North American Tour, 2014/15

Ali and the Need – Drom Bar N.Y.C, July 2014
"Ali and the Need’ were formed at the end of 2012 following the success of frontman Ali Azimi’s previous band Radio Tehran. The wealth of musical experience from these British and Persian musicians easily moves them through energetic Rock to delicate Middle Eastern melody, with nods toward Latin and Jazz; their eclectic fusion of sound has rapidly established them as a leading force within the Persian music scene. Their debut album “Aghaye Past” (“Mr.Mean”), released in 2013, was extremely well received and was described as “one of the best Iranian albums of 2013”. Included on this was the hit song/video and now live favourite “Pishdaramad”. 2013 and 2014 have seen the band tour round their native UK, Europe and North America, as well as numerous TV appearances on Manato TV and BBC Persia. The band are now working on a follow-up to “Aghaye Past” as well as planning more concerts for the coming months. Stay tuned!"
– do N.Y.C. - Gig Reviews. 19th July 2014.