Panoramic - Rhythm Through the Unobstructed View

Album Review

Liam Teague is well-known in the steelpan community; not quite one of the Big Five, but not too far off. Teague specializes a bit more in small settings than in the massive Panorama ensembles, better able to show off his remarkable playing abilities with less additional sounds. Here, with a handful of other players he explores the crossroads of steelpan, jazz, and other Caribbean influences (including East Indian, given the ethnic makeup of Trinidad). What is most notable here is the seamless melding of steelpan and jazz, with the piano and vibes providing essential backup (and occasionally melody), and a fine though somewhat stiff sax coming in from time to time for accentuation. The star, though, is Teague and his pans. The band works well around him, but the sound becomes a little stale when he isn't involved. The rhythm section is excellent and varied in their sounds, the enlisted help on sax is a bit more hit and miss, but it's Teague's speed and showmanship that really make this ensemble something more than just another quick jazz act. The steelpan here becomes more than a tropical embellishment. It retains some exoticism, but fits in with the compositions and drives them to their ultimate goals. For steelpan, the Big Five composers (Ray Holman, Jit Samaroo, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Smooth Edwards, Clive Bradley) are the way to go, especially for new listeners. For modern steelpan jazz though, this is a nice addition to the repertoire.