Chris Cody
Mountain to Sea
Independent
****
By Barry O’Sullivan
This latest recording from the pianist and composer is engrossing music of the highest quality; a masterclass in how to be full of sound without necessarily being furious. Bringing together musicians from different backgrounds and generations, Chris Cody (piano), Sandy Evans (soprano and tenor saxophone), Lloyd Swanton (double bass) and relative newcomer Tessie Overmeyer (alto saxophone), the album combines jazz, classical, African and French influences, in an intimate and fluid performance that incorporates masterful skills and musicality.
Cody is a highly skilled pianist/composer who stands at the forefront of the Australian jazz scene. His compositions are richly textured and anchored by a sophisticated modern edge, drawing on various genres. In the opening track, ‘Stepping Out’, with its Cameroon-African French influence, there is a delightfully upbeat conversation among all four musicians.
Throughout the album, using extended techniques, this drumless ensemble finds countless innovative ways to exploit the various possibilities of their instruments, notably on the four brief improvisational tracks, ‘Piano’, ‘Alto’, ‘Soprano’ and ‘Bass’.
Throughout the longer extended tracks, ‘Journey’, ‘Mountains’, ‘Dream’, ‘Quiet’ and ‘Slow M’, delightful examples of the quartet’s cohesive interplay showcase blending intricate meters with a focus on creative freedom within well-defined structures.
Chris Cody’s album offers a compelling and multifaceted listening experience, confirming this quartet’s creative vitality.