La Brava LB 0046
Review copy supplied by Abels Music, Canberra
Reviewed by Tony Magee
This one is a cool, laid back CD, featuring the aptly named NSW Central Coast based singer and songwriter Dorian Mode, with an impressive line-up of musicians on brass, rhythm and strings and guest singers Joe Lane and Nicky Crayson (whose own album, I have reviewed previously).
Dorian Mode has a mellifluous, easy listening quality to his voice and is basically established within the very broad framework of jazz. Certainly one of the guests, Joe Lane, is a dedicated modern jazz or bebop singer and also quite an amusing character. There is a short 45 second monologue from Joe on this CD (track four), where he relates the story of his meeting the ghost of Charlie Parker.
The CD contains a mix of originals by Mode and established standards including a beautiful rendition of the great ballad Darn That Dream, Nature Boy, Street of Dreams and Sign 'O' the Times by Prince.
Mode's own compositions are all excellent listening. Cool nightclub, late evening jazz with truly excellent backing from the eleven outstanding musicians (including Mode at the piano). Style ranges from elegant ballads, through funky tracks, slow bossa and swing.
Another good one from the increasingly vast array of great Australian talent.
First published in Restaurant and Catering Magazine, April 2003