Mike Nock
has long been one of the most famous jazz musicians based in Australia, helped by the fact that he has visited the U.S. many times through the years. This CD begins with the most interesting selection,
"Ozboppin',"
which quickly goes from bop to
Ornette Coleman
, freer areas, and back to bop. Most of the other numbers alternate between melancholy ballads worthy of the mid-'60s
Miles Davis Quintet
to more heated numbers.
Tim Hopkins
on tenor recalls
Wayne Shorter
in spots, but has a fairly original tone, as does the talented young trumpeter
Phil Slater
; bassist
Cameron Undy
and drummer
David Goodman
are fine in support. With the exception of
"Come Sunday"
and
"End of a Love Affair"
(a ballad feature for
Hopkins
), all of the selections are
Nock
originals. A stimulating set of advanced hard bop. ~ Scott Yanow