Michael J Bolton: Earthrise review — that rarest of things, a jazz concept album

By: John Bungey
August 23 2019, 12:01am, The Times

Michael J Bolton, the British bassist, writes effective melodies
Michael J Bolton
Earthrise
★★★☆☆

Jazz-rock — big in the 1970s, but rarely cool since Wynton Marsalis championed all things unplugged — nonetheless continues to prosper quietly. A Pat Metheny-esque mix of rock beats and breezy chords underpins drive-time jazz radio around the world.
These two albums, one British (this Michael Bolton is a UK bassist, not the US balladeer of yore) and one Canadian, are rooted in the retro. The former celebrates synths and fretless bass, the latter is steeped in the sleek sound of Steely Dan. However, both sets of musicians bring enough of their own personalities to create engaging music.

Earthrise is that rarest of things, a jazz concept album, being a 50th anniversary tribute to the Apollo 11 mission. Synths and military drum beats in the portentous opener suggest a mighty adventure to come, and the odd soundbite of astronaut chat pops up along the way.

However, most of this buoyant, funky music functions perfectly well with no thought of Neil, Buzz or zero gravity. Bolton writes effective melodies and has assembled some first-rate soloists, including Tim Garland on soprano saxophone and Mike Walker, supplier of supple guitar fills. Bolton’s liquid fretless bass supercharges a project whose glossy production and cosmic ambitions will also attract prog-rock fans.