Reviews of Midnight Tango (featuring Tango Siempre)
“Their playing has the verve and gut-wrenching rhythmic drive associated with the greatest Argentinian bands, and their account of the scores – especially marvels by Astor Piazzolla – has the earthy vitality, the urban chic, so central to tango’s music and steps… here is the tango, raw, intoxicating, speaking with its true voice. For the violinist Ros Stephen, the pianist Jonathan Taylor and their colleagues, much admiration…” – Financial Times
“…outstanding work from Ros Stephen on violin” – The Stage
“The band, the excellent Tango Siempre, play on stage, with taut rhythm and instrumentation” – The Independent
“The excellent house band Tango Siempre play on stage throughout, led by violinist Ros Stephen who can coax sounds from her instrument rarely heard in concert halls.” – Daily Express
“[Tango Siempre]… a superb six-piece band” – The Telegraph
“Whilst the on stage band provide a soundtrack that’s both fiery and sensitive; Ros Stephen’s violin is particularly noteworthy.” – Official London Theatre
“The music is rhythmically strong and beautifully led by the skilled violinist Ros Stephen.” – British Theatre Guide
“special praise must go to Ros Stephen’s soaring violin and Julian Rowlands’ devilishly complex bandoneon” – Bristol Evening Post
Reviews of “For the Ghosts Within”
“Robert Wyatt, that most eloquently lackadaisical of jazz-loving English troubadours, has made some unforgettable albums over his long solo career, but this will rank among the frontrunners. Mingling jazz standards such as Lush Life, In a Sentimental Mood and Round Midnight with a scattering of originals, and imaginatively arranged by violinist Ros Stephen for the poetic Gilad Atzmon’s alto sax and clarinet and a string ensemble.” *****
John Fordham, The Guardian
“The mockney Chet Baker sound of Robert Wyatt singing standards (“Laura”, “Lush Life”, would you believe “What a Wonderful World”?) to the taut yet tender backing of the Sigamos String Quartet was the inspired idea of violinist Ros Stephen… Amazing.”
Phil Johnson, The Independent
“This is the most exquisite album I have heard this year.”
Keith Bruce, Scotland Herald
“The fit between Stephen’s string parts and Wyatt’s voice is extraordinary…” ****
The Sunday Times
“The Ghosts Within typifies the uniqueness of Wyatt’s oeuvre, though on this occasion it’s not just his. Violinist, composer and tango player Ros Stephen plus saxophone tyro and political writer Gilad Atzmon make this an equilateral triangle of talents… Remarkable.” ****
Uncut
Robert Wyatt’s career has seen him take som e glorious twists and turns through the years as he’s roamed through prog-rock, jazz and experimental pastures. This time out, collaborating with saxaphonist Gilad Atzom, violinist Ros Stephen and the Sigamos String Quartet, Wyatt works his way through a clatter of weatherbeaten standards from the classic songbook and a handful of originals. There’s both grace and playful intent in Round Midnight, In a Sentimental Mood and What a Wonderful World , with that unique, fragile voice playing splendidly against the sweeping strings and sweet sax lines. Add in some Palestinian rapping, a version of Chic’s At Last I Am Free , and stirring originals such as the gorgeous Lullaby for Irena and the title track, and you’ve another Wyatt album to make you cheer his consistent high standards. ****
Reviews of the Sigamos String Quartet
“…the well-tempered, note-perfect string quartet shifting through romance, irony and despair on the point of a pin. The arrangements, mostly by lead violinist Ros Stephen, referenced the original Parker recordings, enhancing mood and delivering contrast. From the opening plunks of “Everything Happens to Me” through the abstract scrapes of “If I Should Lose You” to the world-jazz-driven Atzmon originals, they impressively integrated classical textures with jazz delivery.” (*****) Mike Hobart, Financial Times
“…gorgeous alto playing is cushioned by Stephen’s superlative string arrangements.” – www.thejazzmann.com
“…loving renditions complete with lush string backing from the Sigamos String Quartet” – The Scotsman