Post by isaacs on May 31, 2011 7:17:51 GMT 10
My CD "Aurora" was recently reviewed for the Byron Bay newspaper Northern Rivers Echo by a young writer. I am posting it not because it is "good review" (i.e. complimentary) but because I was so impressed by the evidence of deep listening to the work without personal stylistic blinkers, and the lack of the need to concoct and/or exaggerate any influences or make statements that are ignorant or unsupportable.
Mark Isaacs Resurgence Band – Aurora
One of Australia’s leading pianists and composers will be performing in Byron Bay (24 May at the Byron Community Centre) so I thought it would be an opportune time to check out his most recent recording with his quintet, the Resurgence Band (James Muller - guitar, Matt Keegan – sax, Brett Hirst – bass, Tim Firth – drums). Throughout his career Isaacs has straddled the worlds of jazz and classical music and in the 7 tracks on this release he continues to explore a balance between complexity, precision, playfulness and spontaneity. The compositions feature some labyrinthine melodies and shifting harmonic pathways that are all expertly negotiated by his band. The solo sections are generally quite tight with some tracks featuring concise solos from each player while other tracks explore more collective merrymaking. Emergence sees Muller and Keegan trading 8 bar sections while the rhythm section builds with a steadfast intensity. One of the more introspective tracks, Threnody features a lengthy solo piano introduction that highlights Isaacs ease with this context, whilst the elongated 4-chord codas of both this track and Bagatelle feature some wonderfully sinuous interplay between Muller and Isaacs. For The Road is definitely the opportunity for each player to have an extended blow and again Muller shines with his incredible rhythmic drive spurred on by Firth’s switch from 1/8ths to 1/16th notes. For contemporary jazz fans this is certainly not a band to miss.
Matt Hill
Northern Rivers Echo