CD Reviews Archives - 2MBS Fine Music Sydney

Mosaic – Where We Are Now

CD Reviews Jazz

Mosaic is a 10-piece Sydney big band that displays harmony and unison, whilst creating the energy and focus of a quartet. Where We Are Now is their debut release. They are all still on campus, crafting the future of jazz. Compositions come from the musicians, or from invited young composers. Even the artwork is by a young artist, Lee Francis-Evatt

Michael Easton – Sun Fun and other Disappointments

CD Reviews Classical Michael Morton-Evans

This compilation CD brings together the wide range of British/Australian composer Michael Easton’s compositional output (1981-1993) - ranging from solo piano and duo pianos to a flute sonata, a piccolo concerto, song cycles, and four songs from Easton’s one-woman show ‘Dorothy Parker Says’

Ensemble Liaison & Tony Gould Trio

CD Reviews Classical Michael Morton-Evans

In the same way as Nexus has rescued so many composers from oblivion, we can thank Melbourne-based Move Records for ensuring that some of our best Australian groups get to CD. Their latest brilliant move (pun intended) is to pair the classical trio Ensemble Liaison with the Tony Gould Trio, better known for their jazz interpretations.

Film Fantasia – Emily Sun

CD Reviews Classical Michael Morton-Evans

The title of this CD is slightly misleading. It suggests a disc full of film music, but in fact what you really get is two brilliant violin concerti and a movie theme. If you remember that tremendous 2011 Australian documentary film Mrs Carey’s Concert about a private girls' school's concert held at the Sydney Opera House and its lead-up at the school, you’ll certainly remember the stand-out schoolgirl violinist, Emily Sun

Evenings with the French Horn

CD Reviews Classical Michael Morton-Evans

Mark Papworth has recognised that French composers like Hector Berlioz realised that there were benefits to the valved instrument unobtainable by the old post horn, and rescored his Symphonie Fantastique to take advantage of the possibilities of the valved horn

Michel Bénébig – Blue Note in My Suitcase

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Jazz

Renowned New Caledonian organist Michel Bénébig has delivered this jewel of an album that is both outstanding and unique. Several things immediately impress one here. First, utilising his Hammond B3 organ as part of an effusive rhythm section and as a frontline instrument, Bénébig adds depth and texture to his music.

CD Review – FEELIN’ GROOVY

Barry O'Sullivan CD Reviews Fine Music Magazine Jazz

If there’s such a thing as casual sophistication, Nicki Parrott has it in spades. As a follow-up to her recording, If You Could Read My Mind, a curated collection of seventies pop songs in a jazz setting, she embarks on a captivating musical journey once again in the jazz tradition encompassing popular songs of the sixties era, to deliver an amiable dozen of classics with finesse.

AJAR – CD Review

CD Reviews

Sydney’s klezmer world fusion band CHUTNEY makes a compelling debut with their album Ajar. This release is a vibrant display of their dynamic range, featuring 13 tracks that span over an hour.

Full Moon – CD Review

CD Reviews Classical Fine Music Magazine

Michael Tsalka and Diana Weston are both pianists and early keyboard performers: the subtitle of this album, Classical and contemporary music for square piano and harpsichord, indicates the focus of their attention. Roughly two-thirds of the program is devoted to music of the classical era and highlights the virtues of intimacy and clarity.

Sally Walker – Boccherini

CD Reviews Michael Morton-Evans

18th century Italian composer Luigi Boccherini produced a vast catalogue of music, several of which elegantly showcased the flute. Renowned Australian flautist Sally Walker has taken a deep dive into Boccherini’s works for flute and strings, recorded with Adelaide's finest musicians.