Fairey’s impressive renaissance under the twin conducting team of Garry Cutt and Tom Davoren has not only taken place on the contest stage, but also in the recording studio, with this 2015 CD a benchmark release for the North West band.

Built around elements of their 2014 Brass in Concert programme, the title track ‘Nefarious’, certainly lives up to its dark and addictive groove: The opening sounds are wicked and dirty, the pulse driving the music forward. Each soloist excels, particularly the soprano, who expertly shows off the versatility and power of the instrument.

Amalgamation

The CD is also fine amalgamation of traditional folk tunes, classical arrangements and brass band originals: The opening ‘Phoenix’ making you sit up with its controlled power, whilst the featured solos from Paul Hughes, Jim Fieldhouse, Paul Bennett and Josh Cirtina are played with a neat touch of confident artistry.

Highest class

‘Dimitri’ is velvety smooth and moving - lyrical cornet playing of the highest class, whereas ‘Earth Rise’, not only proves Jim Fieldhouse as a top euphonium lead (plus sax player and arranger/composer) but places the entire section as a cut above the rest. The ‘Baroque Horn Concerto’ is effortlessly played and so too is the bomping swagger of ‘The Hall of the Mountain King’ - all deep throated mischievousness.

Compelling

Throughout, the quality of the percussion playing is excellent, adding effect and texture without over imposing - so little surprise that ‘Okavango ‘ proves such a compelling work; the immaculate timing and rhythms leaving you in anticipation of what will happen next. 

And as we have since come to expect from Fairey, the quality of the overall band sound is enviable: 'Knight Templar',  ‘I’ll Walk with God’, ‘For the Love of a Princess’, ‘The Irish Blessing’, ‘Solemn Entry of the Knights of St John’ and ‘Land of Make Believe’ may all be standard fayre, but each is delivered with a balanced timbre and sense of linear phrasing few can match. 

Even ‘Danse Macabre Variations’ has a dark, demonic warmth.     

Sophie Hart

Available from: http://www.faireyband.com/?product=nefarious

1. Phoenix (Peter Graham)
2. I’ll Walk With God (Brodszky arr. Goff Richards)
3. Nefarious (Jim Fieldhouse)
4. Dimitri (Rodney Newton) 
Cornet Soloist: Paul Hughes
5. Knight Templar (George Allan)
6. For the Love of a Princess (James Horner arr. Andrew Duncan)
7. Earth Rise (James McLeod)
Euphonium Soloist: Jim Fieldhouse
8. In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg arr. Bill Geldard)
Bass Trombone Soloist: Josh Cirtina
9. The Irish Blessing (Bacak arr. Stephen Bradnum)
10. Baroque Concerto for Horn (Quantz arr. Mark Allen) 
Horn Soloist: Paul Bennett
11. Okavango (Damien Harron)
Percussion Feature: Graham Proctor, Dave Wycherley, Brian Chan
12. Danse Macabre Variations (Benjamin Tubb)
13. Solemn Entry of the Knights of St John (Richard Strauss arr. Mark Preece)
14. Land of Make Believe (Chuck Mangione arr. Jim Fieldhouse)