08/03/2002 Mojo

Saxist Mark Lockheart has done much striking work with quartet Perfect Houseplants in the past decade, but on Imaginary Dances his restless ingenuity (almost Zappa-esque in places) is given wing by a superb 10-piece band. With a huge stylistic and emotional range, Lockheart's music is contemporary and compelling".  

01/01/2002 The Observer

" As both composer and saxophonist, Lockheart has always had a talent for creating impressions and atmospheres. These dozen pieces with his 11-piece Scratch Band are as evocative as ever, conjuring 1930's musicals, rainy afternoons, dusty bullrings and a general air of fond nostalgia. The playing is superb throughout, especially Huw Warren's piano, Rowland Sutherland's flute and John Parricelli's guitar. The most remarkable piece is the two-part Busby Berkeley, which sounds at one point as though it is being played underwater, and ends most satisfactorily, with everyone chasing everyone else".

01/01/2002 The Guardian

"There was Tubesy clamour; dark, urgent bass ostinatos with fast car-chase horn themes on top; long brass fanfares reminiscent of Mike Gibbs and Carla Bley. It also marked the maturing of Lockheart as an ambitious composer".