AS ABOVE, SO BELOW

'Beautifully played and elegantly scored music.'
THE GUARDIAN Essential listening for 2004

‘The 12 themes that go to make up the whole offer such a rich and varied emotional address to the listener that, by its conclusion, one is left almost speechless with admiration.'
THE INDEPENDENT

'...the whole world seems to stop when it's on. It really is that good. It's a pity we aren't allowed to give it six stars.' BIRMINGHAM POST - JAZZ CD OF THE WEEK 5 star review

'These 12 pieces are full of delicate flavours and subtle textures, through which Argüelles, with his curiously light and smoky tone, drifts gently.'
THE OBSERVER

'...there is much to affirm this recording as Arguelles` most important artistic statement to date and just as his recent work with Colin Steele and Alec Dankworth confirm him as a top drawer soloist this record reveals him to be a composer and orchestrator of considerable talent. Not just a disc for third stream specialists but music for everyone with discernment and the sense not to get hung up on categories.'
JAZZ VIEWS

'The former Loose Tubes saxophonist returns with a beautifully played demonstration of his talents...'
OBSERVER MUSIC MONTHLY

'The string ensemble augments his excellent octet and are blended into the overall sound and flow of the music in effective fashion. The saxophonist’s octet has been one of the most consistently interesting jazz groups on the UK scene and they explore his imaginative use of instrumental colour, texture and chord voicings in typically inventive style.'
THE SCOTSMAN 4 stars

'As Above, So Below finds Julian in a calmer mood than the usual galloping momentum of his octet line-up. He has always been open to the pastoral moment, but this project finds Arguelles more classically aware than ever before. He's still operating within an eight-piece framework, but its members have changed and its orientation has mellowed, secluded within an introspective chamber.'
BBCi MUSIC

‘…this seductively gorgeous release has an unforced, lyric beauty…’
IRISH TIMES 5 stars

‘…an object lesson in melodic and rhythmic delicacy.’
THE PULSE / SOUTH LONDON PRESS

'...more than worthy of comparison with two other great jazz/strings collaborations: Stan Getz's Focus and Art Pepper's Winter Moon. An early candidate for Record of the Year.'
JAZZ AT RONNIE SCOTT’S

ESCAPADES:

Escapade is a conspicuous triumph and indeed may just be the most distinguished British jazz album of the year."
IRISH NEWS

"His recent recordings have been so good that he's made himself a hard act to follow."
JAZZ UK

"An album that both entertains and challenges, you would be hard pressed to find a better example around at the moment."
JAZZ UK

"His pieces are typically slowly evolving, multi- layered affairs in which compelling ensemble passages and memorable hooks lurk at every turn.  Distinctive, inventive writing and fine playing deserves to be heard widely."
JAZZWISE

SKULL VIEW:

"Its a sensational disc. Modern British jazz may not have had a finer moment"
Peter Bacon, Birmingham Post

"(Julian).... is not simply a saxophone improviser of distinctive lyricism and laid back power, he’s a composer of tunes with unexpected zigzags to their melodies they’re becoming immediately recognisable as his"
John Fordam, Guardian

" Argüelles has merged as one of the most consistently absorbing of the players to come from the new British jazz surge"
Kenny Mathieson, The List

"It’s good to find a record that does justice to British saxophonist Julian Argüelles extraordinary talents. Julian plays to his lyrical, passionate and highly individual best on soprano and tenor."
Linton Chiswick, Time Out

"Shaping up as the finest of all the current crop"
Dave Gelly , Observer

"Superbly burbling saxophone. A true star"
Phil Johnson, The independent on Sunday

SCAPES:

".... a release of almost unprecedented proportions in British jazz history"
Independent On Sunday

"Julian has pulled off the rare feat of producing something which is both completely different and equally brilliant"
Pete Martin, Jazz UK

Home Truths - Jazz CDs of the year 1995 Independent on Sunday
Scapes - Jazz CDs of the year 1996 Independent on Sunday
Skull View - Jazz CDs of the year 1997 Birmingham Post
Jazz CDs of the year 1997 Independent on Sunday
BT British Jazz Awards 1998 - Critics Choice
Escapade - Jazz CDs of the year 1999 Guardian
Jazz CDs of the year 1999 Front Row - Radio 4
Jazz CDs of the year 1999 Jazz On 3 - Radio 3

Jazz Composers Alliance/Julius Hemphill Composition Award (USA) 1999
Andrew Milne Award 1999
Best Small Group - BT British Jazz Awards 2000 - Critics Choice
The Octet has been 'ensemble in residence' at University of york since 2003.