The Engine Room "Full Steam Ahead"
ABC/EMI: 4892702 Total Time: Retail Price: $29.95 (Approx)
"The Engine Room", which is also the rhythm section of "Ten Part
Invention", is firmly established in its own right as one of Sydney's leading
jazz trios, playing at various festivals and club dates."Full Steam Ahead"
was recorded and released in 1996 by the ABC and was nominated for an
A.R.I.A. Award as one of the best Australian jazz recordings of the year.
All tunes on the CD, with the exception of "I Got Rhythm", are from the
fertile pen of pianist and leader, Roger Frampton.
The group consists of Roger Frampton (piano/leader), Steve Elphick
(bass) and John Pochee (drums). The trio plays very dynamically, with a
refreshing approach to various contemporary jazz styles. They are joined on
the final track, "I Got Rhythm", by Daryl Pratt ("Sonic Fiction") on
vibraphone and Warwick Alder ("Ten Part Invention") on trumpet.
Both guests also join the group individually on one other track.
The CD commences with the very European sounding 'Upside Up', which is
followed by Frampton's Latin tribute to the late composer, 'Jobim'.
'Just Above Mid-Air' is a very bright waltz elegantly tackled by the
trio. Daryl Pratt joins the trio for 'A Specific Task'. The trio format
returns for the blues, 'Room Mates'. 'Constant Stream', a
contemporary ballad follows, then 'A Switch In Time' which is an
exercise in rhythmic variations for the group with some great "free playing"
from Frampton. Warwick Alder ably assists with 'From Way Back', a tune,
which, to my ear, seems influenced by Turrentine's "Sugar". 'Too Distant
Future' is another contemporary ballad with an extended form. Both guests
join the trio for the tune "...that launched a thousand be-bop heads", 'I Got
Rhythm'. In this case it is given a very 90's arrangement, as it is
harmonically stripped back to the essentials.
This is a CD of contemporary Australian jazz at it's best, with tunes,
written and arranged by one of Australia's leading composers, played in
a very bright, forthright style by some of the finest musicians currently
resident in Sydney. Available from Blackwood Sound and all good CD
stores.
Reviewed by Greg Fisher
Source: Adelaide Jazz Scene
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