A melancholy effort from OzJazz pianist/composer Isaacs, with saxophonist Jason Cooney and guitarist James Muller providing frontline support. Released internationally on the Naxos label, the eight originals here provide a sampling of Isaacs' stylistic maturation. Homegrown release Keeping the Standards is preferred.
Three Paul Grabowsky Trio 2001 [ORiGiN]
Even with the departure of drummer Allan Browne - replaced by Niko Schauble - Grabowsky's piano trio is still one of the finest OzJazz outfits in the land. The album is a nice mix of originals with some side orders of Monk, Bacharach and Strayhorn rounding things out. Grabowsky's admirers will want to add this to their collection.
Thirteen Sketches Andrea Keller 2001 [Newmarket]
Australia's golden girl of jazz piano established herself as a major talent with this marvellous set of thirteen originals. Also featuring in the quintet is trumpeter Eugene Ball and tenor Ian Whitehurst. An ARIA winner, Sketches was made with the support of the Arts Council. Chalk one up for the Australian Government.
Drive By The Necks 2003 [Fish of Milk/Morphius]
For those who find the four-CD live set Athenaeum, Homebush, Quay & Raab (2002) a bit daunting, this might be a great place to start exploring this brilliant minimalist jazz trio. Consisting of pianist Chris Abrahams, bassist Lloyd Swanton and drummer Tony Buck - the CD starts with a sparse melody, builds and finishes an hour later.
Minimalist OzJazz pianist best known for his work with The Necks. Glow is Abrahams' third solo effort and has drawn comparisons to both Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau. The official promo blurb describes it as, "...a meandering, cascading interplay of notes, creating music of complexity that is tonal rather than structural."
Bev Stapleton's review of this record at AAJ notes: "If Angels and Rascals had been released by an American or European band it would have been feted for its originality of concept and execution. This recording stands as a marker of just how good Australian jazz is." An all-original set from pianist Keller that is improvisationally challenging.
Jerusalem Leonie Cohen Plus 2005 [Jazzgroove]
A unique record in the OzJazz pantheon, the music on Jerusalem is an intoxicating blend of jazz and Hebrew melodies. Pianist Cohen celebrates her Jewish heritage in true style, producing eminently accessible jazz without the klezmer overtones one might expect. The support includes topnotch sax-men Paul Cutlan and Roger Manins.
Mother of Dreams and Secrets Barney McAll 2005 [Jazzhead]
Pianist/composer Barney McAll received an Arts Council grant in 2004 which allowed him to study music in Cuba. Here Afro-Cuban flavours abound in what is touted as a tribute to the Santerian goddess, Yemaya - the mother of all the world. As well, there are stirring cameos from the likes of tenor Jamie Oehlers and guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel.
