PRESS — Darren Pickering Music

Reviews for ‘Volume One’

"Here’s something for those peaceful moments when softly falling rain instills a serenity upon the world you hope will never end." (Dave Sumner, 'Best Jazz on Bandcamp: August 2022')

"I love this album because it redefines what jazz is and wrestles it out of the hands of the academics who tend to overthink and over play the genre. The addition of electronic textures heightens the experience and blurs the boundaries, making the experience far more unique and adventurous. Sure, you can call this ‘jazz’, but I call it cool!" (Tim Gruar, 'Ambient Light')

"I’m a fan of Rattle – as a label, their ethos, enthusiasm, curation; their dedication. And this is one of the best releases they’ve put in the world in a while. And Darren Pickering Small Worlds is a phenomenon unit, and the compositions here, most often, are sublime." (Simon Sweetman, 'Off The Tracks')

"So it's modern, perfectly melodic, and the general movement is based on fluidity. The contribution of electronics is quite discreet but nevertheless thickens a subject whose sounds regularly come out of the usual framework with which our ears are confronted. There is a certain je ne sais quoi in this music that is part of its charm. The interaction is there and we can say that the musicians of the quartet have the necessary osmosis for their music to blossom fully. Be curious, listen to them." (Yves Dorison, 'Culture Jazz')

"Darren Pickering’s compositions are lovely and have a remarkable ability to convey both a sense of journey and a somewhat mournful deep contemplation. His melodic lines are almost instantly memorable, and he’s prone to emphasise them with repetitive cycles. Pickering’s piano is seldom left on its lonesome, however, and especially notable is the fact that Mitch Dwyer’s guitar often doubles those piano melodies to pleasing effect." (Gary Steel, 'Witchdoctor')

"From its polite opener, Volume One is a well curated journey into small but interesting worlds which reward repeat listening and set them up for a welcome second volume." (Graham Reid, 'Elsewhere’)

“A thoroughly enjoyable album from Pickering and co. The first and last tracks have me hooked… stunningly original and gloriously ethereal. The other seven tracks are pretty darn good too. Recommended listening.” (Mike Gates, ‘UK Vibe’)

““Moody 7” is an iterative exercise in seven that makes me think of a crossing between E.S.T. and Radiohead. The jazzy rock flavors of these bands are also expressed on “Ixtapa”, whose symmetric texture is garnished with tasteful electronic elements.” (Filipe Freitas, ‘JazzTrail’)

“....Pickering and company create atmospheric music of lustrous texture and sinuous melody..... With every instrumental gesture guided by the writing and every choice geared towards maximizing its potential, their playing dramatically amplifies the evocativeness of the writing.” (Ron Schepper, Textura)

“Often atmospheric, his music also knows how to find, here and there, the codes of very well-executed mainstream jazz, without abandoning the discreet use of electronics.” (Yves Dorison, Culture Jazz)