Alex Wilson - Afro Saxon (2000)

Recorded on 25, 30 June & 11, 2, 17, 20 August 1998 in London.
AFRO-SAXON is not only the debut album by the exciting multi-talented pianist/composer/arranger Alex Wilson, but it is also marks the inauguration of CANDID's BIG CITY series.
They say that variety is the spice of life - well, there is plenty of variety and spice to savour in this debut album. Check out Alex's arranging skills throughout (Hurtin' Me, Nature Boy etc.) and his steamingly percussive playing - especially on Aria Baby. The highlights are Paul Jayasinha's hot, flowing flugel on Africa is da Place for Me, Bobby Watson's fearsome solo on Little Suede Shoes and lyricism on Sophisticated Lady. Ciyo demonstrates on Baracara Island what an under-rated artist he is and one can only wonder at the collective rhythmic pulses achieved by Davide Giovannini, Thomas Akuru-Dyani and the other rhythm players.
There is much to assimilate in this album-there is no doubt, that it will repay repeated listenings.
"Afro-Saxon is the explosive debut album by the young pianist-composer Alex Wilson"... Pete Martin/JAZZ UK
"Alex Wilson’s album ‘Afro-Saxon’ is the calling card of a young musician who looks like he’s going places." ...Stuart Nicholson/The OBSERVER UK