JAZZ ALBUM REVIEWS IN THE AUSTRALIAN
In September, 2017 Eric Myers commenced reviewing jazz albums in the Review supplement of The Weekend Australian. All reviews in this folder are written by Myers.
JAZZ
BLUES RINSE
GEORGE WASHINGMACHINE
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Independent
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, June 6, 2020
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George Washingmachine is best-known as a jazz violinist/vocalist, but this foray into jazz’s close relative, rhythm and blues, is a natural one. Without his trusty violin George seamlessly transforms himself into an extroverted blues shouter, taking full advantage of what is, in contrast to the arguably more refined jazz milieu, a dirtier musical form, pleasingly rough around the edges. He is accompanied by mature heavy hitters from the blues scene Rick Melick (piano & organ), Andrew Richardson (Hofner violin bass), Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup (drums) while excellent guitar solos, which considerably increase the album’s appeal, are shared by Glenn Hannah and Ray Beadle. Ten tracks include five standards from legendary blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and Magic Sam, while five compositions from Washingmachine are, to my ears, highly authentic blues vehicles. This spirited and enjoyable album is released as an LP, with a download card enclosed.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
JAZZ-FUNK
FUNK ENGINE
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Move Records
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, June 13, 2020
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It’s hard not to like this very hip album. A new generation of young musicians, mostly 2013 graduates from the Sydney Conservatorium, have rediscovered jazz/funk, an idiom which ran out of puff in the mid-1980s. They make it sound fresh and contemporary again. Funk Engine’s third album has eight compositions by electric bassist Siebe Pogson, who anchors a tight rhythm section including Nick Twiney (keyboards), Felix Lalanne (guitar) and Holly Conner (drums). Regular saxophonist Nish Manjunath is augmented by three guest horn players, and “soul legend” Pat Powell sings on two tracks. Pogson’s thoughtful compositions reveal a deep knowledge of the idiom, and his immaculate bass playing, beautifully recorded, is thankfully at exactly the right level in the sound balance. The various time-feels basic to jazz/funk are given a solid workout, resulting in an album which is not only danceable but highly listenable as well.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
DARK ENERGY
PAUL WILLIAMSON QUARTET
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FMR Records
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, June 20, 2020
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Every track on this interesting album is a different kind of adventure. The excellence of the quartet is no better epitomized than on the title track Dark Energy, a tour de force which reaches great heights. Like past great trumpeters, Melbourne’s Paul Williamson often plays so beautifully that he appears to capture the spirit of the age. He is working here with brilliant young musicians not afraid to go for broke: Theo Carbo (guitar), Hiroki Hoshino (double bass) and Miles Henry (drums). The structured compositions by Williamson and Hoshino, which make up half the album, work well. The other half relies on the now relatively settled hit-or-miss conventions of free jazz, the success of which depends I think on the predilections of the listener. This group’s music is distinctive and challenging, and should appeal most to those who like to luxuriate in sounds they’ve never heard before.
Eric Myers