MOJO, (Chris Ingham), December 2007
(4 stars) Each track is a miniature epic shot through with a detailed, pastoral sensibility flavoured with English wit.
Album Description
`Now!' is a scintillating mix of Curious Paradise's "vibrant English contemporary music". Feted in the press for their last CD 'English Elements', the band continue to explore the relationship between strongly melodic-based composition, improvisation and gorgeous grooves. Although comprising five of the UK's most respected jazz musicians, this programme is not aimed purely at the jazz fan: this is 21st century music of great appeal for anybody.
Curious Paradise is a group with a clear, individual voice within the loose category of contemporary jazz. The obvious influences are English folk, North American and South American jazz-based music.
Personnel:
Peter Oxley - (guitars), Julian Nicholas - (tenor & soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), Phil Peskett - (acoustic piano, keyboards), Oli Hayhurst - (double bass, electric bass), Russ Morgan - (drums, percussion)