This talent-loaded CD pursues a highly contemporary direction, using Satsuki Odamura’s Japanese koto – a flat bed stringed instrument – computer guru Greg White’s electronica, plus six of Australia’s top jazz performers headed by saxophonist Sandy Evans.
The result is a diverse collection of compositions by Evans and producer Tony Gorman.
Effective use is made of instrumental and structural variety from the Asian/electronic blend of abstractions on koto-led tracks like Mosaic or Inner Space to the fusing of koto into imaginative jazz themes in School’s Out and A Shower of Sunbeams.
A jaunty humour is apparent in The Emperor’s Old Clothes and Kaleidoscope, while full reign goes to computer generation in Platform.
There are ample opportunities for solos from Evans, Paul Cutlan’s especially adept clarinet and bass clarinet, Carl Dewhurst’s sympathetic guitar, and Phil Slater’s valuable trumpet, notably on Lambent.
One of the most successful fusions of contemporary Australian jazz with Asian and electronic influences yet to appear.
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This review first appeared in The Australian and is republished with permission of the writer.
