East of West, Moving Home
By Chris Lambie. ABC Classic’s recent radio poll revealed Australian listeners’ 100 favourite musical instruments. With cello at number one, upright or double bass was 18th, oud 16th and 22% of votes for various forms […]
CD Reviews
The Sky Is The Same Colour Everywhere – Kayhan Kalhor and Toumani Diabaté
Review by Ian Bevington. The Sky Is The Same Colour Everywhere – Kayhan Kalhor and Toumani Diabaté (Real World) Kayhan Kalhor and Toumani Diabaté, renowned musicians, have collaborated on a remarkable new album titled The Sky […]
Jason Bruer & Hammerhead – I Didn’t Get to Where I Am Today
Review by Des Cowley. Jason Bruer & Hammerhead – I Didn’t Get to Where I Am Today (Independent, CD & Digital release) Sydney composer and saxophonist Jason Bruer formed his sextet Hammerhead in 2010, and this […]
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Dylan’s Shadow Kingdom – Bringing Some Classics Into The Now
Take Two: Bob Dylan Brings Some of His Classics Into the Now! On Shadow Kingdom, Dylan sings “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” “Queen Jane Approximately,” “Watching the River Flow” and ten others. By Michael Goldberg. […]
Steve Barry – In The Waves
Review by Des Cowley. Steve Barry – In the Waves (Earshift Music, EAR078, CD & digital release) New Zealand-born pianist Steve Barry has been a strong presence on the Sydney scene since releasing his self-titled debut […]
The Necks Defy Categories Again With New Album Travel
Review by Des Cowley. The Necks – Travel (Northern Spy, NS158, Vinyl, CD & digital release) Simply put, Sydney trio The Necks defy category. I caught them on their recent 2023 tour, and was astonished – […]
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John Harkins – The Cord
Review by Des Cowley. John Harkins – The Cord (Independent, digital release) Pianist John Harkins hails from Chicago, but the for the past twenty-five years he has made Sydney his home. For this, his eighth […]
Bektet – Kinship
Review by Des Cowley. Bektet – Kinship (Independent, CD & digital release) Kinship represents the first outing by Melbourne-based band Bektet, the brainchild of up-and-coming saxophonist Jared Becker. It speaks volumes that he has chosen […]
Ilaria Crociani – Connecting the Dots
Review by Des Cowley. Ilaria Crociani – Connecting the Dots (ABC, CD & digital) Italian-Australian singer Ilaria Crociani was mildly amused when, at age-50, she found herself recipient of a 2021 ABC Jazz Composer Commissioning […]
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Mark Lockett – Swings & Roundabouts
Review by Des Cowley. Mark Lockett – Swings & Roundabouts (Thick Records, CD and digital release) When we think of band leaders, we tend to think of singers, guitarists, sax players, trumpeters. Less so drummers. But […]