James Ryan Trio
Bitter Sweet
(ABC Jazz/Universal)
Rating: ***
Originally from Darwin, now Sydney-based after lengthy periods in Canberra, Brisbane, and London, saxophonist James Ryan has released two previous albums, most recently in 2006 featuring this same trio line-up in a live session.
This latest CD is a studio recording, again performing mostly Ryan’s always interesting originals plus four standards, but with a far more commercial approach. The introduction of a banjo on Brew Drew is an ill-advised deficit. Ryan’s pleasing tone and technical ability on tenor, saxello (a type of soprano sax) and flute is still evident, and the rhythm section of drummer James Hauptmann, and Brendan Clarke on bass is well integrated, but the ideas here lack the inspired exploration of the earlier album.
Nevertheless there are some fine passages, especially from Ryan’s exciting, overblown flute on Frazer St. and swinging tenor on I Cover The Waterfront. There are inter-related bass solos throughout, and intelligently embroidering drum work, notably on So Glad You’re Here.
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This review first appeared in The Weekend Australian and is republished with permission.
