Lounge Suite Tango
The Umbrellas. Peter Dasent, piano, organ and accordion; James Greening, trombone, pocket trumpet and sousaphone; Andrew Robson, alto and baritone saxophones; Andrew Wilkie, vibraphone and marimba; Zoe Hauptmann, double bass; Toby Hall, drumsJazz
Armchair Records ARM 01
Reviewed by Eugene Ball, October 1st, 2015
I listened to this recording several times before I learned anything of the project leader and composer behind it. I must admit I was at first a tad bemused. Before my ears was a series of short, cartoon-esque tunes, but amid the caricatures were glimpses of deep, gritty improvising. It was tricky to know how… continue reading »
The Bitter Suite
Paul Grabowsky composer, performed by Paul Grabowsky SextetJazz
ABC Jazz 377 1278
Reviewed by Mandy Stefanakis, July 1st, 2014
For me, the measure of a true muso is in the execution of the slow stuff. There are several pieces on The Bitter Suite which meet my required assessment criteria in this regard. For example on Black Saffron a beautiful passage focusses on the harmonic unification of trombone and saxophones. Jamie Oehlers introduces it after… continue reading »
