The Absent (10th Anniversary Remaster) Emily Francis Trio

• 1 Hops 'n' Scotch 05:47
• 2 Winnebago 06:27
• 3 The Absent 08:25
• 4 Redshift 05:55
• 5 Sabo 07:28
• 6 Trunk 06:51
• Total Runtime 40:53

Info for The Absent (10th Anniversary Remaster)

To celebrate our 10th anniversary as Emily Francis Trio, we are delighted to present the remastered version of our debut album "The Absent".

The funky "Hops 'n' Scotch" kicks off this lively set, with keyboardist Francis employing Fender Rhodes and synths in Herbie Hancock mode. Languid acoustic piano opens "Winnebago" which soon transmutes into an up-tempo trio number with a flavour of Chick Corea's Iberian influence clearly detectable. The more contemplative "Redshift" benefits from Francis' ability to transition seamlessly from acoustic to electric piano and also to deftly change the composition's mood with great skill and judgment. There's also an articulate bass guitar solo from Trevor Boxall.

An infectious toe-tapping tempo and freewheeling acoustic piano predominate on "Sabo" and the close-knit interplay of the band is evident, again featuring an imaginative bass solo from Boxall. The jazz rock of "Trunk" opens up a whole new dimension with the vital guitar work of guest soloist Stefanos Tsourelis. The luxury of a quartet configuration places the band on a different footing, one part Return To Forever and one part Headhunters, replete with wah wah bass guitar, Fender Rhodes and fuzzy electric guitar tearing out the melody.

The set closes with the title track, in a ruminative state once more, Francis perhaps displaying a nod towards the great Bill Evans. Here she employs both synth and piano, overlaying one on the other, with an excellent bluesy piano solo. This is a very good, confident and satisfying debut album by a clearly talented musician—who wrote and arranged all the tracks -from whom there should be much more to come.

"Six great tunes, all band compositions, and no filler, thus ensuring it never outstays its welcome" - Matthew Ruddick, Kind of Jazz

"An album that reveals Emily Francis to be a musician and composer with enormous potential. A highly promising début." - The Jazz Mann

"This is a very good, confident and satisfying debut album by a clearly talented musician" - Roger Farbey, All About Jazz

“It’s very accessible, highly catchy and well produced and performed. The tunes are great” - Mark McKergow, London Jazz News

Emily Francis, piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizer
Trevor Boxall, bass
Liam Waugh, drums
Stefanos Tsourelis, guitar (track 5)

Digitally remastered

Emily Francis Trio
Formed in 2014, EFT is one of the hottest young acts on the UK jazz scene. Their debut album, 2015’s The Absent, established their fresh take on the piano trio format, creating a sound with a strong emphasis on melody and groove, resulting in compositionally rich, original music.

In 2016, they released a video EP project, New Town, with funding from Arts Council England. This was followed in late 2019/early 2020, with two video singles, Escape From The Echo Chamber and Broken Kingdom Pt 1. Their latest release, LUMA, features nine original tracks, fusing jazz with psychedelia, electro, and prog rock influences. Sonically and compositionally, it is the band’s most accomplished release to date. The enlisting of mix engineer and producer, Jason Kingsland (FORQ, Tim Lefebvre, Donny McCaslin, Kaiser Chiefs), has taken their music to dizzying new heights with a soundscape that encompasses so much more than their core of keyboard, bass, and drums.

LUMA, derived from luminescence, represents the brightness within an image. LUMA explores the personal journey through life and the idea that one’s own sources of light – inspiration, knowledge, imagination – can help overcome the challenges we all face. If allowed to thrive, the brightness within us can be a source of joy and creativity. LUMA is a personal reflection but, like any album, is not created in a vacuum. The effects of what has been happening in the world – with the pandemic, climate change, political and social discord, the negative aspects of technology and social media – all have a bearing on our own lives and personal challenges. It has never been more important, therefore, to turn up the brightness where we can in a positive way.

Comprising Emily Francis on piano/keys, bassist Trevor Boxall, and drummer Jamie Murray, the band’s music reflects an eclectic mix of late 60s/70s electronic jazz, progressive rock and pop, Scandinavian jazz, and artists from the current New York scene.

This album contains no booklet.