FUN TIMES AHEAD

Liner notes from FUN TIMES AHEAD:

James Ryan has been the driving force behind many Sydney-based ensembles over several years – including the powerhouse big band “Sonic Mayhem Orchestra”, the dynamic electric jazz-rock group “The Subterraneans” and many other groups under his own name. Although one can hear James playing in many contexts that show his familiarity with jazz history, and his appreciation of the standard repertoire, he has always displayed a firm commitment to presenting original music, drawing from his love of music from many traditions.

For this new recording James has assembled some of the finest musicians around, all experienced, versatile, and leaders of their own groups. Organist Clayton Doley is well-known for leading his own groups and for long associations with The Mighty Reapers, Harry Manx, Jimmy Barnes and Jackie Orszaczky as well as a long list of international artists. Tim Rollinson is a distinctive guitarist and composer, a founder member of DIG (Directions In Groove) and a solo artist with many albums featuring his original compositions. He has also performed with many other artists including Vince Jones, Phil Slater, the Blackeyed Susans and the Café of The Gate Of Salvation. Andrew Dickeson’s drumming has propelled many of Australia’s crucial jazz groups including those of Don Burrows, Dale Barlow, Mike Nock and Bobby Gebert, and he has been the drummer of choice for many visiting jazz legends including Lee Konitz Johnny Griffin, Junior Cook, and Eddie Henderson. In recent years he has become better known as the band leader of several groups, with a growing catalogue of recordings to his name.

All of this experience is on display in this new album. The sax, organ, guitar, drums combo suggests the influence of classic soul-jazz groups led by musicians such as Stanley Turrentine, Hank Mobley, and Grant Green, but this provides merely a starting point as the musicians interpret these new compositions in a variety of ways. These instrumental pieces all feel like songs, with some of Ryan’s characteristic twists and turns providing some surprising and satisfying resolutions. The soloists all retain this song-like clarity as they extend the compositions with their improvised statements.

This group has played a lot of gigs including a weekly Monday residency at Lazybones Lounge, Sydney. This new recording captures the spirit of a live performance. It is an ensemble committed to creating a group sound, to listening, and to creating a space for the music to groove. I’m sure listeners will appreciate this fine addition to James Ryan’s growing catalogue of distinctive albums.

Matt McMahon