Efpi Records’ two releases received a joint review by Mike Butler in yesterday’s (11th December) Manchester Evening News, with the Hunter/Andreae Quartet’s EP. 1 gaining 3/5 stars and the Beats & Pieces Big Band’s EP 4/5.

Efpi is a small musicians-run label, documenting the activity of a rising generation of north west jazz musicians. The conception is modest, but the execution is confident. EP 1 by the Hunter/Andreae Quartet is by turn noisy and reflective, at its best when it strays from the theme and cuts loose whereas Beats and Pieces is expansive and structured, and realises Ben Cottrell’s large-scale compositions with the full resources of a big band. Vivid, bristling with ideas: what might not Cottrell and co achieve in the future? Mike Butler

Read the full review below – cheers Mike!