Romaria (album) explained

Romaria
Type:	Album
Artist:	the Andy Sheppard Quartet
Cover:	Romaria (album).jpg
Released:	February 16, 2018
Recorded:	April 2017
Studio:	Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI Lugano, Switzerland
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	48:05
Label:	ECM ECM 2577
Producer:	Manfred Eicher
Chronology:	Andy Sheppard
Prev Title:	Surrounded by Sea
Prev Year:	2015

Romaria is an album by the Andy Sheppard Quartet recorded in Switzerland in April 2017 and released on ECM February the following year. The quartet features rhythm section Eivind Aarset, Michel Benita and Sebastian Rochford.^[1]

Reception

All About Jazz's reviewer Geno Thackara said, "Where so much music treats silence as an exception, Andy Sheppard's recordings find it serving more as the rule. He's never been one for weaving flashy speed runs or feeling pressure to fill space. Even when his sax lines speed up from time to time through Romaria, they serve the mood with tasteful restraint, smoothly evoking the soothing coolness of its cover ... This quartet's easy chemistry creates a pretty soundscape both inviting and intriguing, and Romaria never loses the airy feel of a cozy reverie even at its busiest."^[2]

The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek notes "Sheppard's gift of restraint allows for bountiful interaction and irresistible musicality on Romaria, making it an essential addition to his catalogue and a fine extension of Surrounded by the Sea."

In JazzTimes, Mac Randall wrote "Sheppard likes to keep his volume at medium-low. But although he maintains a thoroughly English reserve, there’s plenty under the surface: romance, dry wit, tenderness and, above all, a questing spirit. He’s found some wonderful colleagues to help him with his search."^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Andy Sheppard, except as noted.

Personnel

Andy Sheppard Quartet

Andy Sheppard – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Eivind Aarset – guitar
Michel Benita – double bass
Sebastian Rochford – drums

Notes and References

https://www.ecmrecords.com/catalogue/1511857081/romaria-andy-sheppard-quartet ECM discography
Web site: Andy Sheppard Quartet: Romaria . Musical reviews . Geno . Thackara . . June 6, 2018 .
Randall, M. JazzTimes Review accessed June 6, 2018