Review: Mama Terra – Inner Space

When was the last time you felt like a musician or a band was having fun recording an album? Sure, the quality, the craftsmanship, the energy—it’s all great, everywhere. Well, almost everywhere. But that vibe of fun or joy in what they’re doing?

The musicians of Mama Terra seem to have gone into the studio with a great deal of joy. There’s hardly any other way to explain why Inner Space resonates so deeply with the listener, even on a recording. But who exactly are Mama Terra?

The band is the project of pianist and composer Marco Cafolla from Glasgow. The ensemble also includes, as co-bandleaders, saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski, double bassist Ross Saunders, drummer Doug Hough, trombonist Mikey Owers, and singer Rachel Lightbody, whose unpretentious, warm soprano voice makes for a very special treat.

Also in the studio as guests were The Ayoub Sisters—sisters Sarah (cello) and Laura (violin) Ayoub—who added delicate string sounds to most of the tracks, as well as New York trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, who enriches The Observers. Not to be forgotten is narrator Conrad Roberts, who recorded his own narration for Miles Davis’s 1971 album Life Evil. He can be heard at the end of the very lively title track Inner Space and also on Bliss. His resonant voice lends a special flair—magnificent!

Although categorized as jazz by the label, the Scots actually play a blend of jazz, rock, funk, and classical elements—something that in the past would likely have been classified as fusion. What’s striking, however, is just how much atmosphere is packed into the album’s nine tracks.

Take, for example, the opener and title track “Inner Space,” which bubbles and fizzes out of the speakers so rapidly and energetically that it immediately draws the listener into the musical action. Or The Whale Dives Deep, which creates an almost cinematic atmosphere with its wordless background vocals.

Bliss flows groovily from the speakers at a mid-tempo pace and, with its ostinato piano figures, has an almost hypnotic effect. The Observers flood the listening room with big-band flair and, after just under four minutes, have already faded away to make way for Dear Green Space, whose piano intro transitions into an atmospheric piano-soprano duet before…—just listen for yourself.

This album is a real joy! (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Konrad Wiszniewski, tenor and soprano saxophone
Mikey Owers, trombone
Ross Saunders, double bass
Doug Hough, drums
Rachel Lightbody, vocals