Now that nearly all of the standards have been recorded by just about everybody, finding new material is a constant problem for jazz vocalists. Young Melbourne-based vocalist Josh Kyle has overcome that difficulty by recording seven songs, all written by various friends. It’s appropriate that the opener Simple Pleasures was composed by Kyle’s sole accompanist on the album, pianist Sam Keevers, a consummate player and one very experienced at accompanying vocalists.
The song begins in a languid tempo with several quick phrases in Kyle’s high alto ending in long, held notes moving into a repeated sequence in harmony with the piano, introducing Keevers’s solo. There is a pleasantly satisfying sequence of softly descending chords midway here. A second piece by Keevers, Ballad of The Cranes is also a slower ballad utilising the vocalist’s ability to hold lengthy unwavering notes. More of a post-bop feel is evident in Sean Coffin’s piece, All The Reasons, one of three in the collection by the Sydney saxophonist. It’s taken at a quicker tempo and each of the vocal passages ends in a repeated scat phrase. Keevers’s solo punches out the essence of this fast-running number. Brisbane vocalist Kristin Berardi has contributed One Moment Please, a lovely slow ballad of an involving melody line and substantial harmonies, movingly interpreted by both vocalist and pianist.
This collection is a true duo performance where the piano is not just a background but has a role as equally important as the vocalist, and the two work together with a rare musical understanding of each other’s contribution.
