Quotes & Reviews
Their new album, Daydreams is a record that clearly demonstrates that Sheriff is not intimidated by writing for four horns…balancing early influences of Horace Silver with a Wayne Shorter-like commitment to narrative composition…. There is no shortage of fine soloists… immaculate taste… soul and lyricism
The Guardian
Excellent, original material… I recommend everyone to go along and check out this fresh young band
Peter King
A notable debut c.d. from pianist composer sheriff….a fierce introduction grabs the attention then follows a succession of carefully crafted pieces which not only demonstrate jamil’s talents as composer and arranger but provide fine settings for the rising stars in the band
jazz U.K.
Excellent northern pianist who brings together a range of classic, contemporary and urban approaches
The Times
Jamil has succeeded on two fronts – his compositions are as imaginative and enjoyable as ever and he has put together an ensemble which showcases his writing talents as much as it does the considerable individual skills of his all star cast of musicians
Northern Exposure
This is intelligent and original music and it is highly accessible as well as being beautifully recorded. There are many post-bop influences, balancing disciplined, through-composed sections with highly articulate solos from some of the best young musicians in the country.
Little wonder that there are long queues for the CD wherever the Jamil Sheriff Octet plays
Yorkshire Post
Jamil’s music moves from driving blues inflected melodies to sensitive, cleverly arranged melancholic moods, to odd time shuffle grooves, all underpinned by a beautiful sense of melody
Leeds Guide
Backchat is the second album by Sheriff's excellent Octet, and a fine album it is too. The music is both swinging and sophisticated, with Sheriff showing himself once again to be a constantly inventive arranger. Just when you think you've heard it all, he'll come up with something fresh.
Jazz UK
Typical of the GLP stable of artists, Purnell's music features enough verve and creativity to lift it a few notches above standard mainstream offerings. Sheriff's outstanding support exposes an artist destined for a bright jazz future. Ranging from the delicate to the dynamic, Purnell's studio performances are certain to please fans of his impressive live shows.
Top 100 CD’s
Sheriff is an accomplished player displaying dashes of McCoy Tyner-style brawn and, even more impressively, a top-notch composer/arranger. Big brassy arrangements dominate Backchat, with consistently mature and toe-tapping numbers.
Jazzwise
BACKCHAT is distinguished by piquant tunes that stitch together like little symphonies, to say nothing of timeless jazz virtues like swing and clarity. The nonchalance suggests seasoned players, but the undercurrent of joy gives the game away: the band comprises of young guns led by Leeds piano player Jamil Sheriff. An instinctive melodist, the frontline is an extension of his own colourful piano: At a superficial level, Backchat is cool and bright and conventional. Close listening reveals a wealth of detail and texture. A quiet marvel.
Manchester Evening News
These tracks display Sheriff's enterprising arrangements, which make interesting use of the ensemble. That adventurous spirit is illustrated by Sheriff's handling of the closing tune, Harold Arlen's Over the Rainbow... Andrew Colman takes a poignant flugelhorn solo, backed by questing accompaniment from the rhythm section, followed by an equally delicate piano solo from Jamil...
Tony Augarde Jazz CD Review
In the octet of pianist/composer Jamil Sheriff, parochial loyalties are transcended through classy contemporary jazz with a personal stamp. The vitality of Sheriffs horn writing has been making waves for a while...
The Guardian
PIANIST Jamil Sheriff hails from Bolton, and leads a fine ensemble that has been playing together on a fairly regular basis since its formation in 2002. That familiarity and understanding is firmly reflected in the tightly knit but flowing music on this disc. It is the band's second release, but the first to be recorded and issued under the new Recording Support Scheme launched this year by the UK's jazz umbrella organisation, Jazz Services. Backchat provides the scheme with an auspicious start. Sheriff's writing and arranging for the instrumentation – a horn line of flugelhorn, trombone, and alto and tenor saxophones, with guitar, piano, bass and drums – is thoughtful and imaginative, and never overrides melodic development in the interests of harmonic complication. The writing is backed up with creative soloing in an accessible post-bop style from players who may not yet be familiar to Scottish audiences, but are well worth checking out.
Scotsman
The new album “Backchat” stands out for Sheriff’s sinuous, sophisticated post-bop ensemble writing. Throughout there’s an emphasis on the interaction between the horn passages with individual solos.
Jazzwise