“Startling Originality”

September 24, 2019

So, we put out the first Spirograph Studies album this year, and we’ve started receiving some reviews! This one appeared in The Australian, written by Eric Myers on August 24:

KINDNESS, NOT COURTESY

SPIROGRAPH STUDIES

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Independent

Four stars

Published in the Weekend Australian, August 24, 2019

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Jazz of startling originality, difficult to categorize, has been streaming out of Melbourne for years. Kindness, Not Courtesy is an example. Seven originals by bassist Tamara Murphy and one by drummer James McLean are generally ruminative and minimalist, featuring beautiful harmonic changes. One might call this genre “textural jazz”, whereby no particular soloist dominates the sound mix with technical virtuosity. This is a collaborative venture with four players contributing sensitively to the whole. Still, there is individuality here. Lyrical pianist Luke Howard, while often unobtrusive, can also project strongly, with a very clear voice. Guitarist Fran Swinn, with a pleasing Bill Frisell influence, is a skilled conversationalist in the mix. While there is an appealing stillness here, the music also flares out, showing the influence of rock elements, while its inner music retains the majesty of jazz. 


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