Jazz has been cannibalising itself since its inception, and in recent times it has become much hungrier. Little that hasn’t been done before has emerged in the past 30 years, yet the resultant music can still be enthralling.

Last year the pianist Mark Isaacs and the guitarist James Muller recorded in Los Angeles with four Americans, including the drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. The resultant Resurgence (ABC) was launched at this performance. The material on that CD and which Isaacs has subsequently written partly cannibalises the concept of Keith Jarrett’s 1970s European quartet, which combined lyrical melodies with rhythms that, while being jazzy and interactive, nodded more to rock and Latin than to swing. Isaacs has given this idea a 21st-century dose of steroids in company with a new local quintet, fuelled by the meaty and flexible rhythm section of bassist Brett Hirst and drummer Tim Firth.

The intensity of the collective belief in the project was evident immediately, the leader’s first solo having an almost frightening intensity to it, while still exuding a tangible and effecting beauty. Matt Keegan, who spent most of the night on tenor saxophone, played a scything soprano solo, while Muller began at an apparent zenith, and still found ways to climb, his melodies spiralling in multiple directions simultaneously.

Read the full review on The Sydney Morning Herald website.

SHARE
Hash Varsani is the owner of The Jazz Directory, a network of sites related to jazz, travel and everything else he loves. He also runs a selection of jazz related sites including Jazz Club Jury, a jazz club and festival review site. Check out his Google+ Profile, to see what else he's up to...probably setting up another website from one of his many passions.

LEAVE A REPLY