Luka Bloom: Head & Heart

Luka Bloom is mining the space between the notes with increasing precision. In Head & Heart he continues the exploration, in intriguing company. The Phil Ware Trio accompany Bloom, but there's a disconcerting looseness to the arrangements that misses the chance to fully capitalise on the ensemble's possibilities. Bloom's song choices are interesting and at times inspired (his reading of Ewan MacColl's The Joy of Living is just that: a joy). Others grate against their own timeworn fabric (Danny Boy). His guitar lines breathe fresh life into covers of John Martyn's Head and Heart and the Keith Jarrett-inspired choice, My Wild Irish Rose. His spirit of adventure is palpable, even if his choices disappoint and his encounter with The Phil Ware Trio might have yielded more, given a longer gestation period. lukabloom.com
Download tracks: The Joy of Living, Head and Heart