Various Artists
Jazztrack Sessions – Home Grown & Rare
(ABC Jazz/Universal)
Rating: ****
Released to commemorate 30 years of ABC Classic FM’s Jazztrack program, this album presents all-Australian originals from groups ranging from a duet up to big band size, in either studio or live performances. These carefully selected, well recorded tracks would be ideal for someone looking for a diverse collection of Australian contemporary jazz at the beginning of the 21st century. There are long established artists – Mike Nock’s piano trio, or legendary saxophonist Dale Barlow – and fresh young talent such as Adelaide’s Splinter Group and Perth bassist Sam Anning’s quintet, Speedball. Bennetts Lane Big Band opens the CD with a strong minimalist sounding arrangement by Adrian Sherriff who also contributes a standout trombone solo. Esteemed vocalist Michelle Nicole appears with just an acoustic bass, and Martin Breeze sings with a trio led by talented young Brisbane guitarist James Sherlock. Many players are unnamed, an ommission common to most tracks, although presenter Mal Stanley’s session notes on the music are useful.
