Symphonie Pacifique

Symphonic Pacifique is the third solo set from keyboardist, composer, producer and DJ Greg Foat. Nikinakinu is superbly executed soul jazz with extensive frenetic soloing and is followed by Man Vs Machine which matches a hazy — I don’t know what he’s done to the drums on this album but to my ears they all sound deliberately scuzzy and grimy, pleasantly so — drum break with a simple synth arpeggio while drummer Moses Boyd absolutely tears it up. It’s a growling, oppressive piece of music in contrast to the plaintive, carefully arranged strings of Before The Storm and its companion piece, the fuzzy-edged piano-strings-and-reverb After The Storm. 

Symphonic Pacifique is a highly engaging, varied, sensitive album with a consistent inventive approach and moments of alluring beauty.