Trumpeter Rory Simmons’ Fringe Magnetic is a many headed beast - in more ways than one. The latest project to emerge from the Loop collective, an organisation of London-based musicians who offer mutual support in nurturing and promoting music that might not otherwise find a place in the market, it’s a ten-piece band that combines elements of chamber music, both left-field and fairly conventional jazz, European art song and folk music influences.

 

That’s a lot of diverse ingredients but Simmons marshals his resources with a light touch, creating music that’s by turns pastoral, melancholy, slightly frivolous, challenging and eminently hummable. Norwegian singer Elisabeth Nygaard adds her moody presence on four tracks, guest vocalist Andrew Plummer a disturbing menace on another, and if occasionally the ensemble becomes a bit strident, the overall result of thoughtfully arranged trumpet, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, violin, cello and responsive rhythm section is music that - as best illustrated by Little Boban’s hypnotic phases – is genuinely imaginative and worthy of attention.

 

From The Sunday Herald, February 7, 2010.