Trio Apoplectic (Self-titled)
Jazzgroove
Rating: ****
Formed in 2003 at the Sydney Conservatorium this trio is interested in esoteric titles. Apoplectic in the Concise Oxford means ‘enraged’ or, ‘causing sudden loss of consciousness and voluntary movement.’ While their music shouldn’t produce those results, it is all original, often exploratory, and very well played. Consisting of Dave Jackson, alto sax, Abel Cross bass, and drummer Alex Masso, the instrumentation and some of the playing is reminiscent of Sydney legend Bernie McGann’s trio. Jackson however has a more Paul Desmond-like tone, cooler than McGann’s raw energy sound. The oddest title, Details of How to Get APOPLECTIC on Your Licence Plate opens with its bop theme stated between one bar breaks enhancing the Bebop feel. It soon moves into fast exchanges between alto and drums before falling out of tempo altogether introducing a mysterious bowed bass with free alto phrase interjections, while interspersed percussive effects build to a smart drum solo, then a return to theme. Firewaltz has a lilting melody and a notable bass solo in fast three four time.
This review first appeared in The Weekend Australian and is published here with the permission of the writer.
