Search - Mike Nock Quintet :: MIKE NOCK QUINTET: Ozboppin'

Nock, nock, nockin'

Ozzie | Brugge, Flanders | 09/13/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"New-Zealander Mike Nock spent many years in the USA, and settled in Sydney, Australia in 1985. He recorded this album down under for the Naxos Jazz label, of which Nock is the executive producer. In a set of mostly originals, Nock is surrounded by young Australians who are definitely into this type of jazz : melodic yet adventurous, with distinct influences from classical and contemporary music. Phil Slater on trumpet and flugelhorn is the most remarkable musician in the band : his voice is most distinct, never treading on the beaten path, but looking for an alternative approach to every melody line. Saxophonist Tim Hopkins is more subdued here than on some of his other recorded works as a leader. Cameron Undy on bass and David Goodman on drums keep everything together, with Mike Nock's piano often freewheeling far from the melody, without ever getting lost in mush. This album is a showcase for 5 very talented Antipodeans, who don't really sound like American jazzmusicians at all, but then, why should they ? These jazzmen truly have a voice of their own, and isn't that what contemporary jazz is all about ?"