Reviewed by Tony Cummings

2020 should have been the year that the Netherlands band of Salvationists the Amsterdam Staff Band were to play a unique joint concert with Britain's Household Troops Band. But then Covid struck and like tens of thousands of other events, the concert never took place. However, in January 2020 both bands recorded a number of tracks for an album which would have been launched At The concert. But clever old Salvationist Publishing & Supplies weren't prepared to let the recordings remain unreleased and these tracks - six by the Household Troops and five by the Amsterdam Staff Band - show that both bands display plenty of crisp, tight ensemble work, with one or two dazzling solo moments. It's Amsterdam's Michel Rosenquist on euphonium and Steef Klepke Jr on cornet who shine on the Ben Hollings composition "Novella" while the Household Troops' best moment comes on the Steven Ponsford number "All Creatures Praise". And while we're on the subject of officer Ponsford, I feel I must congratulate him (though I may be prejudiced) on calling one of his powerful compositions "Cross-Rhythms".

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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