REVIEW: The Elliott Henshaw Band - Who'd Have Guest?

Blues & Soul magazine writes, “an impressive array of colleagues to have on your debut album!”

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Ubuntu continue their ambitious thrust and prodigious release programming with this, a brand new project led by in demand drummer, Elliott Henshaw. The album starts on fairly safe fusion territory with opener 'Tea & Toast' a sprightly romp with a kind of new orleans shuffle with the sort of groove Steve Gadd would muster or say, Jim Keltner. It's upbeat and big band sounding and a good start leading into the crisp and funky 'Direct Input' where the groove is bone deep. Elliott keeps a tight ship and first mate, bassist Andrew Mckinney (of JTQ fame) is ship shape and bristol fashion laying it down hard like tarmac! A scintillating horn head gives way to a stinging guitar solo courtesy of James Pusey leading into to an explosive drum vamp as the boss takes over and proves his worth of salt.It's a great drum sound crisp and nicely tuned. Elliott is a groovy player setting the foundations, sitting perfectly in the mix too.

The sugary 'Along Came Milly' shows the tender side of this outfit and the band certainly sound at ease and comfortable with the vibe and with each other, as the twists and turns sound very natural and well-manicured on this sentimental ditty. The idea of Who’d Have Guest? comes in to play by featuring a whole host of special guest musicians lending their expertise to specific tracks. Collaborators include a horn section featuring the likes of Tom Walsh, Simon Niblock and Chris Traves, vocalists such as Miranda Wilford and Noel Sullivan and jazz heavyweights such as Bob Mintzer, Dave Weckl and Gwilym Simcock. It's an impressive array of colleagues to have on your debut album!