Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat - Worry Not (2021) Hi-Res

Worry Not is the debut from Leeds based cinematic quintet, Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat.

Emma's writing is inspired by cinematic scores as well as a wide range of jazz from hard bop to modern tenor/guitar led quintets, and this combines to create compositions that evoke imagery and emotions for the listener. The album combines strong melodies with improvised sections that give each member of the group space to shine.

As an album, Worry Not tackles themes of stress and worry and the process of overcoming those things to find a sense of calm. The imagery uses a lake setting and various weathers as a parallel to the coming and going of these emotions and the whole album is a cathartic listening experience, inspired by a place where Emma is at her most worry-free.

Emma Johnson's Gravy Boat should get a prize for ‘Most Creative Band Name’. For now, they'll have to make do with their other gongs – a Peter Whittingham Award in 2019 earmarked Johnson's Leeds-based five-piece as ones to watch. The award helped fund this release, which provides a logical successor to a smattering of EPs and singles released over the past year.

Worry Not is a statement of intent from Johnson, who provides sweet tenor lines and simple but effective charts for quintet. The approach is unfussy, with straightforward forms, melodies doubled by Vickers and tunes woven out of compact ostinatos. Its scope and sound draws comparisons with Walter Smith III and Matthew Stevens' In Common project.

The release loosely follows the process of tackling irrational worry, but the overall outcome is more tranquil than turbulent. There's ample space for something even more expressive to emerge on future albums – an exciting prospect indeed.