Substation Lookout
Damon Poppleton Quartet
This recording is an insightful Substation Lookout Damon Poppleton Quartet lookout journey through the nuances of life and emotions of compositions written around small snippets of the lived experiences of Sydney-based saxophonist Damon Poppleton. The work not only highlights his prowess as a composer and a saxophonist but also displays the extraordinary talent of his quartet members, Harley Coleman (guitar), George Greenhill (drums), and Nick Jansen (bass).
It is a noteworthy testament to the power of jazz as a narrative medium, fulfilling the band’s desire to document some of the material it had been working on and playing at gigs over the past two years. Poppleton wanted to create an album that represented the band’s continued development. The album captures the essence of that transitional moment, both in time and sound, weaving a tapestry of intricate melodies and intriguing improvisational sequences. Favourite tracks include a take of On Green Dolphin Street, restructured into Off Blue Shark Avenue and Poppletude, with Greenhill’s drumming providing a rock-solid foundation that allows the music to ebb and flow organically. Coleman is a skillful improviser on the guitar, and Poppleton’s saxophone drives the improvisational sections while maintaining a sense of structure.
The album is a handsome debut recording with some stellar moments displaying their obvious talent and premature sophistication.
– Barry O’Sullivan