Departures
Lachlan McKenzie
ABC Jazz
★★★★
The freshness of this collaborative effort comes from its stellar lineup of young musicians. Trumpeter Lachlan McKenzie, along with tenor saxophonist Lachy Hamilton, double bassist Jacob Graham, drummer George Greenhill and pianist Wilbur Whitta deliver straight-ahead contemporary jazz with hard-bop edges on all seven of McKenzie’s compositions, which rely on the spirit and trust that has developed in a band whose members have long been close friends playing together.
Trumpet and saxophone open the title track with the kind of melody you may think you’ve heard before, delivering crisp drive and invention on the dazzling solos from Hamilton and McKenzie, with some sublime runs from pianist Whitta. ‘Sentimental Sundays’ drifts in with a vintage vibe, while Greenhill keeps things relaxed, allowing McKenzie and Hamilton space to improvise freely through the intricate chord changes and some further glorious runs from the pianist.
The rawness and fresh energy that are prevalent throughout the album stem from the fact that McKenzie recorded every track as a first take, with all musicians performing in one room and no additional editing. The album shines with vintage appeal, emphasising the feeling and spirit of jazz adorned with stylish and relaxed solos.
By Barry O’Sullivan