11 February 2009
Jazzman.com
Ian Mann

Quietly melodic "world jazz". Thomson has created a very personal sound world and the resultant album exudes considerable warmth and charm.

Nathan Riki Thomson is an Australian double bass player,composer and educator now based in London. He has travelled widely and lived for five years in Africa (mainly in Tanzania) where he learned to play various indigenous instruments such as the filimbi (flute) and ilimba (a form of thumb piano) under the tutelage of Hukwe Zawose.

His love of Africa forms the inspiration for this album. The title is derived from Zawose's father Ubi, who habitually sat under the tree in question. In turn the tree provided a backdrop for music making and dancing.
Thomson plays the filimbi and ilimba plus various other ethnic instruments on this recording and he is joined in a core trio by multi instrumentalist Simon Allen and percussionist Adriano Adewale. Thomson recently appeared on Adewale's excellent album "Sementes" which is also reviewed on this site. It was here that his (Thomson's) playing first came to my attention. There are also a number of guest appearances including a cameo from the brilliant guitarist Antonio Forcione, a long term associate of Thomson and Adewale.
The music on "Ubi's Tree" is a kind of melodic world jazz in the tradition of Don Cherry, Collin Walcott and Oregon.

Thomson's music successfully combines elements of the African and European traditions and also blends ancient with modern as traditional African instruments meet state of the art record production (by Allen) and overdubbing. The latter has enabled Thomson to craft elaborate arrangements on a number of tracks and to deploy an impressive range of instrumental colours.

"Under Ubi's Tree" may not have the melodic flair and joie de vivre of Adewale's "Sementes" but in fairness Thomson is looking to achieve a different kind of atmosphere. More reflective and considered Thomson's album is clearly a labour of love which works it's magic quietly. It's the kind of record that takes a few listens to genuinely appreciate but is none the worse for that.

Thomson has created a very personal sound world and the resultant album exudes considerable warmth and charm.

The album will be launched on February 2nd 2009 at the Pizza Express Jazz Club, Dean Street, Soho, London W1 with a line up featuring Thomson, Allen, Adewale and Hendrickse plus guests Forcione, Miles, Adejayan and Lynn.