WVR BVBY
Melbourne based 8-piece WVR BVBY unveil a meditational jazz
odyssey on their debut self-titled album. WVR BVBY is the next link in the chain
of Melbourne’s soulful sound that has been developing strongly over the past
decade. They create cinematic sounds through roaring horns, synth arpeggiation
and a rhythm section that sways from meditative grooves to dramatic, complex
rhythmic interplay with tight precision. Recorded at Fitzroy's Plug Seven
Studios, the eight track LP was inspired by a mixture of crate digging culture
and 70s production techniques, recorded in one take sessions using direct to
tape technology. The name WVR BVBY (pronounced WAR BABY) has a special
connection to the leader of the 8-piece ensemble, Carl Lindeberg who plays
bass. Lindeberg’ s parents first met and fell in love in the war torn Middle
East during the Gulf War and the result of that union was Lindeberg himself. The
album is the sophomore release of the independent label, Plug Seven Records,
run by Plug Seven Records store and studio owner, Ari Roze.
BENJAMIN JEPHTA - HOMECOMING
A beautiful set of spiritual jazz from South Africa –
recorded recently, but very much in the same soulful tradition of the best of
that scene from the early 70s onward! The tracks are long, flowing, and open –
set up in a fantastic way by the rich, round work of the bass of Benjamin
Jephte – and given spacious warmth through the talents of Marcus Wyatt on
trumpet, Kyle Shepherd on piano and Rhodes, Sisonke Xonti on tenor, and
Sphelelo Mazibuko on drums – a really great lineup who resonate beautifully
with each other! Spha Mdlalose provides these beautiful wordless vocal passages
at times, and other members of the group vocalize briefly – but our favorite
"voices" on the album may well be the tenor and piano parts. If you
know some of Wyatt's excellent work for the Sheer Sound label years back, you'll
know some of the energy of this set – and titles include "Hymn For
Ada", "The Blessing", "Requiem For The Wandering",
"Be Strong", "Still I Rise", and "One For The
Plein". ~ Dusty Groove
JAKOB BRO - RETURNINGS
A moody little record that's cut in the best style of the ECM
legacy – and one that definitely recalls the special place that label has for
both trumpet and guitar! In this case the guitar is handled by leader Jakob
Bro, and the trumpet by Palle Mikkelborg – the latter a longtime associate of
the label, and graced with this spacious, open sound that hangs perfectly in
the air of the production – balanced with the spider webs of sound coming from
Bro's electric guitar, and given just a bit of gentle help from the bass of
Thomas Morgan and drums of Jon Christensen. Titles include "Hamsun",
"Lyskaster", "Song For Nicolai", "Oktober", and
"Strands". ~ Dusty Groove
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