Blow
Blue Sun, Red Moon
(Birdland/Creative Vibes)
Rating: ****
This album is a significant collection of original work from Blow, a sextet of some of Melbourne’s leading musicians, recorded live at Filamena’s Bar, Wollert.
With long term jazz icons drummer Ted Vining and saxophonist Peter Harper as co-leaders, and Melbourne pianistic institution Bob Sedergreen included, the group is powerful enough to often sound as if it’s double the size.
Many passages though are subdued, such as the opening to McCabe’s Trombone Fantasy or the placid and evocative beginning to Bhai.
In the latter piece tension slowly mounts and Harper’s throaty growl on alto brings in Ian Dixon’s trumpet and Mick Meagher’s trombone for the three horns to rampage in a beserk burst against double-timed drums, before a quietened return to theme.
Metal Rat has a definite big band feel and lift-off solos from Dixon and Sedergreen; And Heaven Called uses an insistent ticking beat behind longer-held notes from the horns, stabbing piano chords, some raucous alto, and cleverly arranged, staggered section work.
This review first appeared in The Weekend Australian and is reprinted with permission of the writer.
