WHAT’S ON

Alter Ego at Saltburn Community Hall tomorrow, 01287 624622; The Rae Brothers New Orleans Jazz Band with Steve Graham at Darlington Arts Centre Saturday lunchtime, 01325 486555.

CD REVIEWS

Eberhard Weber/Colours (ECM 271 9638)

Another one of ECM’s attractive and welcome anniversary box sets restores all three of the pioneering bass player’s classic albums: Yellow Fields, Silent Feet and Little Movements. Recorded between 1975 and 1980 they feature Charlie Mariano on soprano sax and other wind instruments, Rainer Bruninghaus keyboards and Jon Christensen/John Marshall drums. Drawing on rock, world music and minimalism but rooted in jazz they still sound fresh and inspirational. Lengthy analytical notes and interviews by Michael Tucker are a welcome bonus.

Jimmy Cobb Quartet/Jazz in the Key of Blue (Chesky SACD344)

Feted recently as the sole surviving member of the classic Kind of Blue sessions, drummer Jimmy Cobb leads from the back on this very mellow session, playing brushes throughout. The focus is mainly on Roy Hargroves whose sound on trumpet and flugelhorn is caught beautifully, and guitarist Russell Malone who switches so easily from accompaniment to solo on a delightful programme of old favourites.