Open Water by The Full Circle Quartet

THE FULL CIRCLE QUARTET

Josephine Davies
Tenor and Soprano Saxophones and Voice

Joss Peach
Piano, Percussion and Voice

Terry Pack
Double Bass and Voice

Angus Bishop
Drums, Percussion and Voice

OPEN WATER

'Tributaries' is a ballad in Bb minor by Joss Peach. It's played twice, first by Joss on Piano and Terry Pack on Double Bass and then by the quartet.

'Flow' is a Double Bass solo that serves as a link between 'Tributaries' and 'Open Water'.

'Open Water' is a simple tune. It is played over a bass riff that moves through three different key centres: C minor, A minor and Gb minor. Soprano Saxophone and Piano play the theme in unison then both play beautiful solos, before returning to the theme. Angus provides wonderful support on the drums.

'Song for Biko' is a very upbeat piece in Bb major. It is a dedication to the South African activist Steve Biko, who is the subject of the book and film 'Cry Freedom'. After the main theme, the piano takes an unaccompanied solo before being joined by tenor solo and the final theme.

'Weightless' is another tune in a major key (C major this time). It features Tenor Saxophone with great support from the Drums

'Hunter's Moon' is a beautiful piece in 5/4. It begins in A minor, but changes key several times throughout. Josephine and Joss share the themes and are the featured soloists.

'Hirundelle' is a beautiful ballad in in F major. Josephine plays the melody and a wonderful solo on tenor. Joss plays a beautiful solo on Piano before the band returns to the theme.

'World Beyond World' is a meditative piece in E major. The sound of the quartet is augmented by a drone created by the four musicians singing in unison and a Shruti Box playing on the themes. The middle section is an unaccompanied piano solo.

'Evening Sun' is another joyful tune in F major. The introduction is played by Double Bass and Drums before Piano and Tenor Saxophone play the theme and solos. After the last theme the band plays an extended ‘outro’ on a groovy F7 vamp.

'Pilgrimage / Open Water' is a co-composition that came out of one of many writing sessions / jam sessions that the Joss and Terry began many years ago and continue to engage in on a regular basis. The piece is underpinned by a repeated Double Bass figure in C minor and the tune is adapted from the melody of Joss's piece 'Selborne' from the South Downs Suite. This is followed by a bridge section. After the improvisations by Tenor Sax and Piano, the riff changes key to A minor and Joss moves from Piano to Kalimba. Josephine changes from Tenor to Soprano Saxophone to play an adaptation of the melody from 'Open Water'.

The Full Circle Quartet is based in the South of England.

Josephine Davies
Soprano & Tenor Saxes

Joss Peach
Piano

Terry Pack
Double Bass

Angus Bishop
Drums

fullcirclequartet.com