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
COMPOSERS PLUS VOL 2 LIVE AT THE JAZZLAB
ATM15 BIG BAND
____________________
Independent
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, June 18, 2022
____________________
The ATM15 Big Band’s Composers Plus project, which commenced in 2018, provides opportunities for jazz composers to try their hand at the difficult art of big band writing. The band’s conductor and principal arranger Andrew Murray presents here originals by four such composers, recorded live at the Jazzlab: Michael Barnes, Darrin Archer, Paul Williamson and Tamara Murphy, who all arranged their works, while Murray himself has arranged the standard I’ll Be Seeing You, and a Hue Blanes composition The Captain And The Sea. ATM15 epitomizes the best of big band artistry, with sharp section work, and great dynamics. As always the character of such a band emanates from the drums where the immaculate Hugh Harvey is amply supported in a first-rate rhythm section by Murphy (bass) and Archer (piano). Some of the biggest names in Melbourne jazz, including saxophonists Tim Wilson, Julien Wilson and Angela Davis, trumpeters Eugene Ball and Paul Williamson, and trombonist Jordan Murray, provide solos which give this outstanding album real distinction.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
THE ART OF COLLABORATION
SIMONE WADDELL
____________________
Ambition Records
Four-and-a-half stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, June 25, 2022
____________________
This amazing album, Simone Waddell’s fifth, has so much going for it, it’s difficult to know where to start. A gorgeous singer, her talent of Kate Ceberano proportions, Waddell moves effortlessly between jazz, soul and pop genres. Twelve tracks include excellent versions of five classic hits from John Farnham, Midnight Oil, Daryl Braithwaite, Crowded House and INXS, plus impressive originals mostly written by Waddell herself. Sixty musicians and singers were enlisted, recording in 16 studios in Australia, Britain and the US. Jazz icons such as James Morrison, Paul Grabowsky, James Greening and Tommy Emmanuel are here, and singers include Rai Thystlethwayte, Pat Powell and Barry Leef. The sound is impeccable, and the considerable promotional clout behind the release — extremely rare for what is essentially a jazz album — results in a very glossy package indeed. A big investment has paid off handsomely. I daresay that Australian music has rarely seen such a prodigious assembly of talent congregated on one superb album.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
BEFORE NOW AFTER
THE JAVA QUARTET
____________________
Dharma Records
Four stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, July 2, 2022
____________________
This is the Java Quartet’s eighth album, its first since 2014, once again manifesting the unusual but unique vision of double bassist Michael Galeazzi. He is supported by three great musicians: Matthew Ottignon (tenor sax), Greg Coffin (piano), and Mike Quigley (drums). A relatively short album of 50 minutes, it has three compositions by Galeazzi exploring the Dorian scale, described as “a meditation upon time, a sonic homage to the evolutionary arc.” Minimalism is operating here, giving the album its dominant character, that of introspection. It’s a slow burn, with the musicians aiming for mood, if not a spiritual experience. Coffin’s approach is somewhat reminiscent of Matt McMahon’s constrained pianism in Phil Slater’s celebrated album The Dark Pattern. Each piece begins with a bass statement from Galeazzi, with subtle support from Coffin, and it’s an energising trip for the listener, as the music builds from that intimate space. Peaks are reached, particularly in the superb solos of Ottignon, but the overall ambience is contemplative.
Eric Myers