Category Archives: CD REVIEWS

Reviews of Australian albums published in the Sunday Herald Sun liftout, Play

WHEN THE SKY CRIES RAINBOWS — SANDY EVANS

Posted on September 18, 2011 | 2 Comments

CD REVIEW

When the sky cries rainbows

4.5 stars

IF you buy one jazz album this year, it should be this. Inspirational Sydney saxophonist Sandy Evans has had since 1996 to compose her response to her musician husband Tony Gorman’s diagnosis with multiple sclerosis.

Taking the rainbow as a symbol of finding hope in suffering, Evans has created a musical journey that evokes life’s myriad hues and states of mind.

From the wistful, yet sprightly title track, through Heedrum-hodrum headbanging’s irrepressible complaint and the grim humour of Alexander’s Dark Band to the trumpet lament of Broken and blessed relief of Indigo Hues, Evans and her brilliant ensemble tell a story that is surely best experienced as a whole, with no distractions.

It exudes love.

Download: Spectre, Broken, Indigo Hues

File between: Allan Browne Quintet, Stu Hunter

ROGER MITCHELL

This review also appeared in the Play section of the Sunday Herald Sun on September 18, 2001.

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DANIEL GASSIN SEXTET — DANIEL GASSIN SEXTET

Posted on September 4, 2011 | 2 Comments

CD REVIEW

Daniel Gassin Sextet

3.5 stars

THE complexity and diversity of the ensemble pianist Daniel Gassin gathers to air his compositions on this outing suit the material.

On reeds are Phil Noy (alto) and Anton Delecca (tenor), Pat Thiele and Cam McAllister share horn roles, Michael Story is on bass, and on two tracks Felipe Cornejo on bata drums joins Craig Simon on drum kit.

The emphasis is on changing rhythms, patterns and textures rather than melodies, with energy, tension and attention to detail resulting in wonderful busyness.

Yet Interlude, McDaniel Avenue, Crossover and San Jose, in which McAllister shines, celebrate the simplicity of solo instruments.

Gassin’s piano is eclectic, providing propulsion or tripping lightly over Simon and Story’s strong foundation.

Download: Banff Song, San Jose

File beside: Johannes Luebbers Dectet

ROGER MITCHELL

This review was published also in the Play section of Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun on September 3, 2011.

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EVERY DOG — FRAN SWINN TRIO

Posted on August 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

CD REVIEW

Fran Swinn guitar, Tamara Murphy double bass, Ben Hendry drums

Every Dog

3 stars

GUITARIST Fran Swinn knows about agility and fine balance, having composed for circus aerialist Rocky Stone at this year’s APRA Commission Concert for the Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival.

Every Dog is less risky, but delivers indie rock-influenced jazz with poise and skill. Ably backed by Tamara Murphy (double bass) and Ben Hendry (drums), each of whom contributes an original piece, Swinn is deft, subtle and often elegantly simple, not being given to unnecessary flourish.

She tugs at and stretches the familiar melody of Paul Simon’s Cecilia, and in six of her compositions leaves plenty of space for strong, contained playing by Murphy and Hendry.

Yet the listener is always drawn to the guitar notes, whether lurking quietly on the side, picking out a simple melody or indulging in an occasional foray into the gravelly or guttural.

File between: James Muller, Toby Wren

Download: Für Oigen, 800 Shades of Grey

ROGER MITCHELL

This review also published in the Play liftout of Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun on August 21, 2011.

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SHREVEPORT STOMP — BROWNE, HANNAFORD, ANNING

Posted on July 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

CD REVIEW

Shreveport Stomp

4 stars

ON July 12 last year three patrons left Bennetts Lane jazz club in Melbourne grumbling that they “didn’t pay to hear three drunk blokes wearing flannel … miss every third note”.

Yet that night these blokes, none of whom had touched a drop, began recording a live album that dips its lid to Monk, Parker, Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and Ornette Coleman while delivering superbly creative and uncompromising modern jazz.

The version of Brian Wilson’s Wonderful is exactly that. Allan Browne (drums) and Sam Anning (bass) give Marc Hannaford free rein and his piano takes us almost anywhere we could wish to go.

This music varies so much. It swings subtly and strongly. It pushes, nudges and shoves. It barrels along. It explores finesse and freneticism.

And it’s fun.

File between: Monk, Jelly Roll Morton

Download: Cheryl et al, Wonderful

ROGER MITCHELL

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OPEN ROAD — LUKE HOWARD, JANOS BRUNEEL

Posted on July 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

CD REVIEW

Open Road cover

4 stars

FOLLOWING his exquisite trio album Meadowlands, Howard joins Belgian bassist Bruneel in duets and solos developed during a Nordic road trip. It’s an ideal pairing.

Bruneel’s warmth and muscularity, so deeply satisfying in his solos Settlers and Ay Yildis, is an ideal counterpoint to Howard’s pure, cool and often pensive approach. Bruneel also seems to draw out brooding power and momentum from Howard, who is known for fluidity, serenity and introspection.

This partnership is at its best in Howard’s compelling August and the title track, a composition by horn player Nadje Noordhuis.

Recorded in Oslo’s Rainbow Studio, this album is one to savour for its evocative duets, its texturally rich solos, and the journey itself.

File between: Sam Anning, Mike Nock

Download: August, Open Road, Settlers

ROGER MITCHELL

Review also published in the Play liftout of Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun newspaper on July 10, 2011.

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HELP JAPAN — ASSORTED ARTISTS

Posted on May 14, 2011 | 1 Comment

CD “REVIEW”

Help Japan

This is a plug as much as a review, but I’ve just had a listen to a digital album downloadable for $15 from Listen/Hear Collective website.

The Collective has created this compilation to contribute to the recovery efforts in Japan after the devastating March earthquakes and flood. It includes previously unreleased material from new Listen/Hear artists Kynan Tan and Peter Knight. Other contributors include Johannes Luebbers Dectet (a real hit at Wangaratta Festival of Jazz); Motion and a remix of its Hear Now by Canadian-based Italian sound artist, Giorgio Magnanensi; The Grid; Mace Francis Orchestra; big band ATM15 and The Twoks. That is a great line-up.

It is worth getting regardless of the album’s fundraising potential for a good cause. Have a listen, hear and collectively hit the “buy now” button. And I don’t work for L/H Collective, in case you’re asking!

The Collective says all proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross and you can immediately download the 11-track album in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or “just about any other format you could possibly desire”. I think “desire” is a bit strong when we are talking types of downloads, but there you go. That’s publicist lingo, perhaps.

ROGER MITCHELL

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THE MANGO BALLOON VOL. I — JULIAN CURWIN

Posted on May 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

CD REVIEW

(To hear the band live see gig details below)

The Mango Balloon

3 stars

GUITARIST Julian Curwin borrows six members of The Tango Saloon to float liltingly aloft on this whimsical flight through tango, gypsy swing and spaghetti western to klezmer, helped by Eddie Bronson on clarinets.

In 13 Curwin originals the mood is light and airy, yet varied. Sam Golding adds melodrama on tuba and some delightful upper-register bends on trumpet. Curwin’s strings ripple, twang and indulge in a little wah-wah.

Marcello Maio’s accordion buzzes and undulates; his piano is simple and delicate. With Mark Harris (double bass), Danny Heifetz (drums) and Jess Ciampa (percussion), the Balloon breezes along on a carefully crafted, carefree adventure to any Shangri-La we fancy.

CD launch: May 10, Bar 303, Northcote.

File between: Skazz, Klezmania

Download: Scene Change, Dog Day Night

ROGER MITCHELL

This review was published in the Play liftout of the Sunday Herald Sun on May 8, 2011

Coming performances:

May 10th @ 303, w/The Porch Dwellers
Bar 303, High St Northcote
(03) 9482 4577

May 11 w/Umlaut
The Toff In Town, 252 Swanston St Melbourne
(03) 9639 8770

May 12 at The Evelyn Hotel, w/Sex On Toast + Eucalyptus
The Evelyn Hotel, 351 Brunswick St Fitzroy
(03) 9419 5500

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IN CAHOOTS — INSIDE OUT

Posted on May 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

CD REVIEW

In Cahoots

4 stars

MANY of the pieces on Paul Williamson’s seventh album as leader were conceived while he was based in Ireland, but don’t expect them to evoke rolling green hills.

The strength of purpose in this outing comes as no surprise given the trumpeter’s five vigorous quintet albums.

In Cahoots is propelled compellingly by Marc Hannaford (piano), Sam Zerna (double bass) and James McLean (drums).

Hannaford’s variations, mastery and elegance perfectly match the moods of the horn — its mellow musings, larrikin playfulness and shimmying, soaring and blazing sinuosity — while Zerna underpins the piano’s drive.

It’s gripping and enthralling to hear Inside Out colluding, collaborating and conspiring on In Cahoots.

File between: Jason Moran, Scott Tinkler

Download: Shop and Gargle, Silent Disco

ROGER MITCHELL

This review appeared in the Play liftout of Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun on May 1, 2011

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SCARE QUOTES — TIM STEVENS TRIO

Posted on April 10, 2011 | 3 Comments

CD REVIEW

Scare Quotes

4 stars

MOVING almost imperceptibly between the frisson of collective improvisations and the cues of composition, this fourth “white album” with Stevens on piano, Ben Robertson on bass and Dave Beck on drum kit is akin to the freedom of 2005’s Three Friends in Winter.

Yet this outing, recorded in a day at ABC Studios, Southbank last year, is more compelling. Textures are tangible, timbres and tempos vary and the trio’s intuitive ability to build and sustain tension, focus and hold our attention never wavers.

Whether from the gripping Wiseband and Huff, the delicate piano insistence and fine drum spatters of Dances With Jimmy or the bass melodies in Letters, Diaries, it is clear there is no need for scare quotes here.

File between: Mike Nock, Lost and Found
Download: Wiseband and Huff

ROGER MITCHELL

This review appeared in the Play liftout of Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun on April 10, 2011, under the name Graeme Hammond, but he cannot be held responsible.

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ASCENT — WOOLHOUSE, MICHAILIDIS, ROBERTSON

Posted on April 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

CD REVIEW

Ascent

***
PIANIST Jeremy Woolhouse wisely welcomes the “deliciously fresh slant” that Lucas Michailidis (guitars) and Ben Robertson (bass) bring to his compositions in their debut album.

The serene, flowing piano benefits from their gentle improvisational exchanges, the bass adding strength and Charlie Haden-like melodic warmth, the guitar subtle inventiveness.

Woolhouse’s approach is rounded, never sharp, and smooth rather than cutting, favouring continuity over space and not given to variations in dynamics.

Gaisy has Michailidis interpolating delightfully and in Going Away all three instruments weave intricate magic. The result is pleasing and the mood calming, as would befit a Sunday afternoon of relaxation. Yet it may call for a big night out.

Download: Gaisy, Going Away
File between: Alister Spence, Magnolia

ROGER MITCHELL

This review also appeared in Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun liftout Play on April 3, 2011

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