I know, I know, it has been a while. I’m terribly sorry about that! But as a treat I thought I’d introduce something new to this club for interesting records. A weekly playlist (woooo!)

Interesting Record Club is a space where I want to share music that I find exciting, and I want to hopefully share music that you might not know. It is really fun getting deep on an album (I promise I will do more of that soon). But isn’t a playlist a great way to share a bunch of wonderful music too!

So, without further ado, here is Interesting Playlist #1 - a nice mix from albums I have mentioned in the past little while, and some other cool stuff! I hope you enjoy.

I made the playlist in Spotify, but here is the track listing if you want to listen via your favourite method of choice!

Track listing

Ready to Ball - Kassa Overall (Animals)

Elbow River - Hishakaki Quartet (The First Proxy)

Myrrh - Wayne Shorter (Without A Net)

Already (On My Mind) - Odie Leigh (Carrier Pigeon)

Flying, Falling - Elliot Lamb (Between Worlds)

Earth Will Be There - Lonny Holley (Oh Me Oh My)

Death Fish - Koi Kingdom (Koi Kingdom)

Pick Me - Helen Svoboda (The Odd River)

Tarot - Moor Mother (Black Encyclopedia of the Air)

Ant Hills - Lewis Pierre, Matt Hoyne & Paddy Fitzgerald (LPthree)

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You might not believe me, but I am holding this CD in my hands right now! A good ol’ jewel case, only a few cracks. The CD is still in fantastic condition. I bought this when I was in uni, it would’ve been an Amazon order, mixed in with a few other jazz musicians I really admire. Without A Net has lasted the test of time for me - it is hands down one of my favourite Wayne Shorter albums. Every moment is mesmerising.

One joy of having the physical CD is being able to look at the liner notes. Sadly, there isn’t a huge amount to read here. Though there is one of my favourite “thank yous” that I have seen. Right at the very end, after what is no doubt some very heartfelt gratitude is a thanks to “Aliens throughout the Universe”. From everything I have read and heard about Wayne, I have zero doubt that he is as grateful to them as all the other folks he has mentioned here!

Without A Net is a mix of different live performances, majority being from a European tour at the end of 2011 and a performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2010. Wayne Shorter would have been in his late 70’s for this, but still sounds like he (and the entire band) are searching for new, creative ways to play together, ways to reinvent the music night after night. There is not a chance a single moment of this tour would’ve been boring, and you can hear that in this record. The album opens with “Orbits”, a composition of Wayne’s which was originally on the Miles Davis album Miles Smiles, released in 1967. If nothing else, this is a perfect example of how the quartet on Without a Net go about reiventing the music. 43 years after the song was first released, here it is again (after no doubt being played 1000’s of times in between), sounding fresh and full of energy. Without any research, I’m sure you would think this is a new piece, written for the tour.

For me, the emotion that is present throughout the entire album is joy. Pure, unadulterated joy. There is no way that Danilo Perez (piano), John Patitucci (bass) and Brian Blade (drums) are not having the times of their lives. With Wayne Shorter leading them all through these joyous occasions. He is certainly a mentor for the three of them and, I am speculating here, but it sounds like they are great friends too - deep admirers of each other's work.

I think it would’ve been hard to not sit on the edge of your seat at these concerts - I’m doing it now! Wayne Shorter never stopped exploring when he played music, discovering new places it could take him his entire life, and in turn where he could take all of us. He is constantly searching, looking for new meaning behind everything, seeing each note as fresh and exciting.

Pegasus is a 23 minute extravaganza in the middle of the album. The quartet expands to include an extra 5 people - the Imani Winds. I don’t know much about them, but it is on my list to find out more! Perhaps more to come on them here one day (is this a good point to say, don’t forget to subscribe to Interesting Record Club??). It opens with some beautiful musing from Danilo and John, before moving into a long form composition by Wayne Pegasus is more of a piece of chamber music than anything. It weaves through winding melodies and interesting left turns exploring the amazing sounds that can be made by 6 wind players. If nothing else, I would strongly recommend taking the time to check this out in one sitting.

Joy has been mentioned here a bit, but it’s just such a strong feeling I have when I listen to Without A Net. It is joyous, high energy music that to me is as close as I will get to any sort of spirituality. Thanks to those aliens indeed, for being part of the rich tapestry that was Wayne Shorter.

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This might be a bit of nepotism here, as I am on this recording. But who cares, because I love this album! There is nothing wrong with sharing amazing music that is made by close friends.

Between Worlds is a 6 part suite composed by the wonderful Melbourne based trombonist Elliot Lamb. They were given the opportunity to write and present this from the Melbourne International Jazz Festival as a part of the Take Note Program in 2021. This is a program the jazz festival runs to support and promote female and gender diverse artists.

Elliot wrote what can only be described as a powerfully personal suite of music. When they performed it at the Jazzlab back in 2021, there was that feeling in the air that this is something special, something deeper that needed your full attention. As I mentioned before, I did play for this, but I am sure everyone in the room was feeling the same - that this is something special. The room was packed, but you could hear a pin drop. It was mesmerising.

The album was recorded in 2023, and features some of Melbourne’s finest improvisers - Elliot Lamb on trombone, Flora Carbo on alto and bass clarinet, Niran Dasika on trumpet, Stella Anning on guitar, Selene Messinis on piano, Oscar Neyland on bass, Maddison Carter on drums and myself on tenor and clarinet.

The opening Track Flying, Falling starts with Elliot’s solo trombone playing a spacious melody, inviting you into the story - instantly engaging you in the music. The horns come in with some lush harmonies after this and repeat the melody again. Broad and beautiful, you just know you are in for a stunning journey.

I do not want to speak for Elliot, and I am not even going to try. This is a deeply personal story for them, that is ever continuing. It is a privilege that we get to share in it as listeners, the album is an invitation into their life, their journey so far. Nothing is taken for granted here.

Each piece in Between World can be listened to on its own, but really come together in one sitting. You get to feel the highs and lows that Elliot has crafted for the ensemble. The end of the track sinking is as high-octane as the suite has got up to this point, and gives a sense of strength and panic all at the same time. This moves into Drowning, a floating extended improvisation with the horns over a bed made by the rhythm section. Giving space to reflect, while still having an energy to it, a wanting to grow.

Breaking, the second last piece of the suite was for me as a performer a highlight. A janky (in a very positive sense!) melody that feels fantastic to play, moving to highly emotive improvising. I have to thank Elliot here, as they let me do one of my favourite things and play some seriously cathartic saxophone! I hope this comes across to you as a listener, for me the feeling of playing like this is so moving and gives the same feeling as screaming on a rollercoaster - it is thrilling. That is where we are at in the piece I think, a thrilling moment of realisation.

The suite finishes with a joyful New Orleans inspired piece called being. A wonderful finish to a beautiful suite of music.

Between Worlds is an emotion filled journey that I couldn’t recommend more highly. This is one of the first albums I am sharing here which is not on the streaming services. You can purchase this either digitally or physically on Bandcamp. It is a part of a series from Cross Street Records, in which you can get a whole bunch of fantastic music for a really good price. If you are interested in taking the plunge, I would recommend absolutely everything in the package (again more nepotism, but whatever!)

Thanks Elliot for having me, and writing such a wonderful suite of music!

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Brandi Carlile is not unknown, that’s for sure. She has released 7 studio albums, won 10 Grammy’s (and been nominated for heaps more!) and a couple of Emmy’s too. All for good reason, because what an amazing musician she is! “In These Silent Days” was released in 2021 (and I think re-released a year later, with a bunch more tracks) and is an amazing journey through some emotionally charged lyricism and some high energy performing.

For me, it sits in a nice spot between country, rock and pop - story telling at the highest level. This doesn’t just come from great lyrics though, you can hear the emotion in her voice, the power that comes from the cracks, playing with her tone and a warbling vibrato that you would only expect to hear in a Puccini Opera. The first track, Right On Time, demonstrates all of this. The pauses that happen at the peak of each verse makes me hold my breath, and I feel a strong sense of relief when they move on. Not because its tense, but because it is so emotionally charged! All this in just the first 3 minutes of the album!

“In These Silent Days” takes you on a journey, which to me is a journey of love, heartbreak and strength. I personally feel like my posture gets better when I listen to this, I sit up and I feel good! Each song is a story in itself, and as is with all the best story tellers, allow you to sit in each tale and let your imagination place you there.

Broken Horses is a masterclass in high energy, powerful music. The opening notes that Brandi sings can not be done without putting everything on the line! This is my favourite song in terms of lyrics as well, it feels like a big fuck you to someone or something, and being stronger from it!

I think I’m slightly late to the party myself, but I cannot wait to hopefully see her play live one day soon. What an amazing experience that would be!

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Lonnie Holly is a relatively new musical love of mine, and I think once you hear his voice you will understand why! He has a sound that is mesmerising and totally original, and it is on full display on his latest album “Oh Me Oh My”.

Lonnie has been around for a good while, and has a lot of stories to tell. He is a visual artist as well as a musician, with the story being that he only recorded his first album in 2006 in a church in Alabama, just himself, a keyboard and a microphone. He has, by all accounts, had a tough life growing up, being born during Jim Crow America in the south. These are not my stories to tell, but they are important to hear. I would recommend doing some reading, and listening openly to his lyrics and stories.

Oh Me Oh My is a powerful album, with Lonnie telling deeply personal stories. Sometimes singing about peace and humanity, other times speaking of his experience at the Mount Meigs Julivenile Corrections centre (which, excuse my French, sounds fucked up!). The piece Mount Meigs is powerful, there is a high energy soundscape behind his storytelling which helps make this perhaps one of the most harrowing tracks on the album. Not easy listening, but important, and oh so powerful!

The first sentence of Lonnie’s bio on Spotify says that “Oh Me Oh My” is both elegant and ferocious, and I don’t think anything could be more truthful. That is exactly what this album is. You can go from listening to Mount Meigs to something like the track Kindness Will Follow Your Tears - a beautiful ballad that truly makes me quite emotional each time I hear it.

It would be a shame not to mention some of the amazing guest artists on this album also - Bon Iver, Moor Mother, Sharon Van Etten, Rokia Koné, Michael Stipe and Jeff Parker. All these guests make such a huge impact, bringing so much depth to the tracks they are on. A highlight for me is If We Get Lost They Will Find Us featuring Rokia Koné, a beautiful Malian singer. Simply gorgeous!

Lonnie was in Melbourne this year (I think he played all around Australia) performing at the Recital Centre. It was such an experience to be there to let the music wash over me. I think the most beautiful part of the whole night was seeing the love and respect the entire band had for Lonnie. You could feel that this was more than just a show, this was an opportunity to share a moment with someone they love. You could feel this in the audience too, it was a special night for everyone.

Oh Me Oh My is an album I think can, and should be listened to over and over again, you’ll hear something new every time!

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I don’t think Brittany Howard’s latest album, "What Now," will have flown too far under the radar for many people. She has created some amazing music throughout her career so far, and it does not sound like she is slowing down!

I have really strong memories of listening to Alabama Shakes while I was at uni, one of Brittany’s more popular bands. The music sounded timeless to me, and was able to accompany my friends and me through all the highs and lows. This is music that you can party to one day and sit down and listen deeply to the next (I definitely did both!)

I hadn’t heard that the Alabama Shakes were going on hiatus in 2018. "Sound & Color" kept periodically popping up for me - in my algorithm and my mind, but I just didn’t keep an ear to the ground. When my wife Harriett started playing "What Now" when it was released this year, the nostalgia hit me pretty much immediately. Brittany’s voice is so recognisable, and SO powerful!

"What Now" has that same timeless sound to me. A generous nod to what came before, but still all so new and interesting! The build in the opening track "Earth Sign" is enough to give me goosebumps when I hear it. It is one of those fantastic pieces of music that just doesn’t stop building.

The whole album has a connecting ambient sound. I think it’s singing bowls or bells? Maybe combined with some other noise as well. They each only go for a few seconds, but it makes me lean in to check that I haven’t accidentally hit pause - more so it is a nice way to bring you back to earth and deeper into the album. Obviously I have no idea, but it feels like the whole album is a meditation on the question of "What Now?" So many of the songs feel like little snippets into her thoughts of what is next. I am, of course, speculating (and would love to have a chinwag with Brittany about it one day!) and it very well could be me just projecting, but that is what good music can do - create a space for reflection, a space that can be very personal and different for every listener!

If I had to pick a favorite track, it would be "Prove It To You." It just makes me want to move! If I am walking and listening, a fast strut definitely happens!

If you have the time, listen to the whole album from beginning to end; you won’t be disappointed! You might even have a new sense of self! After all, it is a 38-minute meditation with Brittany Howard as your phenomenal guide.

Find out more about Brittany Howard here

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Things can sometimes show up at the right time in your life and make such an impact, you can’t remember a time without it. Kassa Overall’s album Animals is that for me. This is one of my favourite records to come out in 2023 and I cannot wait to share it with you! 

Kassa Overall is an emcee / singer / producer / drummer and just an all round phenomenal musician. He has released two other records under his own name (I THINK I’M GOOD and Go Get Ice Cream and Listen to Jazz) and produced some amazing musical journeys with Shades of Flu, Shades of Flu 2 and Shades of Flu 3.

Animals starts with a short 9 second track called Anxious Anthony, which I think sets the scene perfectly. Perhaps too short to be an overture, but enough to make you stop whatever you are doing and listen. A couple of cymbal hits from Kassa and Anothany Ware playing some choice notes on a couple of saxophones, but it says it all! A few seconds later you are hit with the big sounds of Ready To Ball, and you’re in!

I first heard about Kassa when he came to Melbourne with Social Science, a group led by drummer Terri-lyne Carrington. They played at the Jazzlab for the International Jazz Festival and it was one of the festival highlights for me in 2018. Kassa was the emcee - rapping, singing and bringing a great vibe! When something really hits me, like that show did, I can’t help but research everyone in the band. Over the next few years, Kassa quickly became one of my favourite artists - seemingly a down to earth, fun person to be around, and creating some joyful and adventurous music. 

Animals is just that, an adventurous album full of creative music. It features some really interesting musicians from all walks of life. I’m not going to name everyone, but this includes Vijay Iyer, Kris Davis, Craig Taborn, Danny Brown, Laura Mvula and Tomoki Sanders. Like before, this in itself is a treasure chest of music to explore!

I think there is a lot in the lyrics here, and it feels very personal. There is talk of anxiety, jealousy, losing faith and losing time. This might sound heavy (and it is!) but the music feels like Kassa is sharing this with you as a close friend and wants you to hear it. The music grooves and feels good! It makes you want to move and be engaged with the story(ies) being told. There are big outbursts of energy to release any pent up tension and plenty of time to reflect. It is easy to lose yourself in the music and have your mind wander when you sit with it. 

The Lava is Calm is one of my favourites, it feels almost like a dream. The groove is a slow, passionate dance, intertwined with some serious outburst of energy. Kassa’s lyrics are the same, the passion is there, but maybe hard to find, coming back every now and then, but always bubbling away.

The album finishes with Going Up. An uplifting way to end (excuse the pun!) It feels like a “thanks for listening, let’s talk soon!” A couple of deep breaths and the album is done, and you feel good, maybe refreshed and excited, ready for life, a bit closer to yourself, and I reckon a bit closer to Kassa.

You can find the links at the top of this post for where you can stream Animals, and perhaps more importantly, where you can buy it. If you buy the vinyl, there is a bonus track at the beginning (probably on the CD too!) Ooh!! 

FInd out more about Kassa Overall here