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
KOI KINGDOM
KOI KINGDOM
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Earshift Music
Five stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, August 3, 2024
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This is the third album from Melbourne trio Koi Kingdom, which includes three extraordinarily brilliant musicians: saxophonist Cheryl Durongpisitkul, guitarist Marcos Villalta and bassist Stephen Hornby. I cannot speak too highly of the distinctive musical vision in operation here. Their seven compositions are thoughtful, highly original, and played with compelling passion. Their time-feels, always expertly well-constructed and workable, give the album a pleasing variety, suggesting multiple influences which supersede jazz. Strong unison lines in the compositions contrast with the sometimes turbulent but always virtuosic improvisations from all players. I have rarely heard a trio which maximises so effectively the possibilities inherent in the three instruments available to them. A whimsical aspect of the album is the underlying narrative, created by the musicians, about a mythical Koi Kingdom in an imaginary ancient culture which provides a playful background to the compositions, and gives the album structure. Rohan Sforcina (drums) and Keshav Yoganathan (percussion) are added on two tracks, and the album closes with a lovely vocal piece from the 10-person Koi Choir.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
SLEEP CYCLE
CLAIRE CROSS
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Art As Catharsis
Three-and-a-half stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, August 10, 2024
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The inspiration for this strange album is highly original. The medical test electroencephalogram (EEG) measures the electrical activity of the brain; Melburnian Claire Cross examined what shows up in these tests during sleep and, in five compositions, has attempted to express those results in musical terms. She found that brain wave activity suggested certain note choices, dynamics, different tempos and so on. The result is an album of so-called ambient music, a genre which emphasises tone and texture rather than structure and rhythm, and may encourage a peaceful, meditative state. Cross (electric bass and effects) is joined by Reuben Lewis (trumpet and effects), Merinda Dias-Jayasinha (voice and effects), and Kyrie Anderson (drums and bells). Has this been successful? In my view, to a limited extent only, although there are beautiful moments. A brave experiment, this is essentially an album of sound effects on the brink of music. Perhaps it is jazz, as much of it is apparently improvised, but I cannot say I found it transportive.
Eric Myers
JAZZ
10: MICHELLE NICOLLE LIVE AT THE JAZZLAB
MICHELLE NICOLLE
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ABC Jazz
Five stars
Published in the Weekend Australian, August 24, 2024
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Following her outstanding 2023 album The Bach Project, vocalist Michelle Nicolle has issued a live performance recorded at Jazzlab also in 2023, again with her brilliant trio: Geoff Hughes (guitar), Ronny Ferella (drums) and Tom Lee (double bass). This beautiful album is simply a breathtaking achievement, with Nicolle covering all aspects of jazz singing with compelling authority. The four performers establish a unique collective identity here, built on constraint and discipline. No-one loses sight of the quartet’s collective purpose, even when the music is roaring. Whether this is intuitive or designed, or the product of experience, matters little, but the finished product is a document for the ages. Nicolle has written nine compositions totalling 51 minutes, including two with her sister Tamara Nicolle. Some are primarily vehicles for Michelle’s awesome ability as a scat singer. Others, such as Secret Looks, New Life and One Beer, are revelatory. Their sophisticated lyrics, full of wisdom, understatement and ambiguity, will resonate with listeners who have thought deeply about their intimate relationships, and pondered on the secret wishes which complicate our thoughts.
Eric Myers