“Flood Tide” is saxophonist and composer Sam Crockatt’s keenly awaited follow up to “Howeird”, his 2009 release on the Loop Records label which won that year’s Parliamentary Jazz Award for best album. “Howeird” featured the pianistic talents of Gwilym Simcock, a factor that helped to bring the album a good deal of attention. Simcock’s increasingly busy schedule ensured that he was never likely to be a fixture in the Crockatt quartet and his place on this recording has gone to Kit Downes, a similarly talented (and these days almost as busy) player and composer. Crockatt’s regular rhythm section of double bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Ben Reynolds remain in situ and this new quartet configuration ensures that “Flood Tide” is a worthy follow up to its illustrious
predecessor.

Six New Yorkers juggle love, friendship, and the keenly challenging specter of adulthood. Sam Wexler is a struggling writer who's having a particularly bad day. When a young boy gets separated from his family on the subway, Sam makes the questionable decision to bring the child back to his apartment and thus begins a rewarding, yet complicated, friendship. Sam's life revolves around his friends-Annie, whose self-image keeps her from commitment; Charlie and Mary Catherine, a couple whose possible move to Los Angeles tests their relationship; and Mississippi, a cabaret singer who catches Sam's eye.