Full of music and future!
Le Monde, France
Chris Cody is one of the most interesting pianist/composers to have emerged from Australia in recent years.
Mike Nock, (pianist, composer, ECM recording artist)
Australian pianist Chris Cody, a sensitive interpreter with a perfect technique and composer of all the pieces, is surrounded by a Coalition that proves its cohesion and efficiency... A marvellous climate, between subtle arrangements and vast spaces of improvisation...there are good examples of this spontaneous creation where each musician exploits the possibilities of his instrument to the extreme. The leader unfurls his lyricism, nostalgic ballads, and atmospheric pieces of contrasted colours... the richness of this album lies in its diversity. It is likely to gather wide support.
Jazz Magazine, France
This recording should suffice to be persuaded that as a composer Chris Cody doesn't lack ideas. He is equally an attentive leader: he serves the ensemble before thinking of himself... he provides a welcome break from hegemonic pianists.
Jazzman, France
A superlatif quartet. Chris Cody demonstrates an innate sense of rhythm and melodic lyricism. Superbly driven by the rhythm section of Lacy, he makes marvellous use of the velvety tone of Glenn Ferris who is magnificently showcased by the very original writing of the Australian pianist.
JazzAround, Belgium
Very luminous jazz!
Télérama, France
This is jazz that takes off for the heights.
Figaroscope, France
Chris Cody Coalition features some of the finest jazz musicians in Europe.
Paris Voice, France
These musicians guarantee a performance full of colour, humour and rhythmic movement. Space and simplicity are used in a deceptive way. This is very inventive, indeed completely unfettered, playing.
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
This superb recording finds Australian post-bop pianist Chris Cody leading an all-star quartet, including trombonist Glenn Ferris, drummer John Betsch, and bassist Jean-Jacques Avenel, with percussionist Epizo Bangoura sitting in on a couple of numbers. The pianist's sparse voicing and simple melodies belie an underlying turmoil and unreleased tension that bring out the best in his sidemen. The tunes possess a dark side, with the title piece, as an example, indulging in a mysterious, noir-ish bent, quiet yet unsettling. Although Cody never lets it explode, the rhythm section seems to always pursue the unexpected, with Avenel, in particular, keeping the listener on his toes. Although this is Cody's set, and he shows himself to be an excellent composer and a fine improviser, the most impressive work comes from Glenn Ferris, and his fans will not want to pass this one up, as it features some of his best soloing on disc. As the only horn, Ferris takes center stage, gurgling and purring, with notes cascading like horn-like bubbles from a water-pipe. Whether muted or open, the trombonist captures the moment with a thrilling, low-key ambience that fits the understated qualities of Cody's compositions without compromising their vitality. When the group enters the twisted realm of the all-too-short "Kill the Pig," with its back-and-forth swirling motion, there is a sense of bravura that soon dissipates. By the end of the album, you know you've heard something precious, delicate and often fragile, but very valuable. A minor gem.
AMG Steven Loewy, USA
A measure of sweet melancholy infuses the whole disc, in the spirit of the traditional theme Waltzing Matilda that closes it. Ironic, mischievous, a little bitter, the leader plays it almost free, as if the anger expresses itself at the end, there where we least expect it. Chris Cody is a powerful pianist, gifted with a great clarity of delivery, of a veritable eloquence that he screens rigorously with a doubt coming from free and modern improvisation. His pieces are very composed: construction and deconstruction are equally combined. The disc is organised around the duo/duel between the velvety blowing of a trombone in long stretched ribbons and the rigorous pacing of the piano. The drums and the double bass support the principal couple with an appreciable discretion and a great sense of musical space.
Improjazz , France
A new pianist has arrived and already our ears turn towards him. He draws landscapes, plays off his obvious many influences to lead the listener towards dreams of other worlds known and unknown... there is with him something of the Indian in his will to affirm himself facing the world, to know that he has something to say. We’ll have to reckon with the new Cody!
Rouge, France
His piano playing is clear, precise and spontaneous unveiling dark sweetness or a more coloured pallet without useless exhibition. Midnight Tide is a precious disc that will delight lovers of brilliant ambiance and the wide spaces so dear to Chris Cody
Zicline, L’Info Musicale, France
Chris Cody is one of this country’s most impressive jazz pianists, and his compositional skills are no less developed, as evidenced on his elegiac, memorable "Oasis" (Naxos) CD.
Drum Media, Australia
Cody has absorbed the jazz and classical music of both Europe and America. That's why this is now an international combo. His works have an original 4-beat influenced by East-European, modal and Monk-like taste, and it is versatile music too. We can enjoy the combination.
Swing Journal, Japan
An interesting and entertaining recording with fine performances by all... This disc is a very welcome one.
All About Jazz, U.S.A
Chris Cody, "the pianist from the land of the kangaroos". An exceptional musician doubled with a charming personality to discover, along with Bernard Pivot who invited him onto the set of a "Bouillon de Culture" Australian special, consecrated to the artists of this immense country. A dimension of space, the play of silence, to hear in his music. And the melody, second nature to this remarkable composer who writes for theatre and cinema. A journey without error in taste, a sharp knowledge of the universe of piano, - the classics, the French School, a "Who’s whos" of jazz that goes without saying - for an expression full of character. "To have fun, and keep a sense of humour, that is also my vision of music. Coalition? For the collective and to create this while playing". Top rhythm section, with special invite Glenn Ferris, whose lyricism, sound, and reputation need no further mention.
Le Philanthrope, France
Compositions that showcase the technical prowess of the leader, as well as his extroverted personality
Jazz Around, Belgium
Cody creates superb soundscapes of melody and colour.
Basler Zeitung, Switzerland
The material sparkles whether the mood is buoyant swing, darker funk, or walks on the wild side of improvisation... Cody’s breadth of endeavour as a composer is as impressive as his playing. A welcome return.
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
A fine mix of superior technical talent and youthful inventiveness...intelligent original compositions...his pieces range from witty improvisation laid over a funky groove to a classical cool sound to pretty ballads.
Variety, USA
A memorable concert where Chris Cody showed he is not only a great composer but also an incredible virtuoso! He carried the crowd with his deep sensitivity and irreproachable technique.
La Depeche du Midi, France
An Australian sextet led by much travelled pianist Cody absorbs rhythms from Africa, Europe and the Americas as well as classical and exotic formats - thus aiding original music sound as accessible and mysterious at the same time.
Saturday Star, USA
Chris Cody's second album is something of a musical photo album, summing up the seven years he spent in France, and the diverse range of sounds to which he was exposed. Returning to Sydney, the pianist teamed up with a group of players who shared his vision of jazz as an infinitely adaptable art form. This eclecticism can be most obviously heard on "El Bahdja", with its Middle Eastern motif, and the bouncing melodic line which runs through "African Dance". A European sensibility with a nod to Debussy, informs "Green's Peace", an understated composition infused with an appealing lyricism, while "Monk's Mood", the only non-original, is played with humour and a rolling gait.
Rolling Stone
Cody deploys his forces with great skill, and the result is a splendidly rich and varied album.
Jazzwise, U.K
With "Oasis", Chris Cody proposes a cosmopolitan jazz, both intimate and exuberant, anchored in the tradition with its swing and its cover tribute to Thelonious Monk but also influenced by African rhythms ("ElBadja" dedicated to the Algerian people, "African Dance"...). Australia, a new land of jazz? And why not! Chris Cody is one of its worthy representatives.
Journal de La FNAC, France
Those who know this Australian know that with him the evening will be without frontiers or taboos, in the image of this talented and sensitive pianist.
La Dépèche Du Midi
The musicians on "Oasis" will not be familiar to most American listeners because they are all fixtures of the jazz scene in Sydney, Australia. They have all been in Europe at one time or another and their playing is certainly world class. Pianist Chris Cody, who has a driving post-bop style, wrote all of the selections except for "Monks Mood", including the Monkish "Flooze Blues". His music explores plenty of moods including the Arabic "El Bahdja", the dark ballad After the Storm, the swinging "Gare de L'Est" and a passionate "Shadows Across the Land". James Greening has plenty of spirit in his playing while the rhythm section is both alert and intuitive, reacting quickly to the ideas of the lead voices. Well worth checking out.
Cadence, USA
Cody is a writer with an all-round grasp. As a soloist he is equally accomplished. "Maya" shows his easy way with a ballad, "I’ve Got Twelve" his comfort in serial country and the solo "Nightmusics" his widely different approaches to free moods.
Jazz Journal, United Kingdom
A sensitive being full of talent!
La Dépèche Du Midi
There's a touch of "Kind Of Blue" about "Oasis", and complements don't come much higher than that Cody's piano is a constant highlight, reaching deep and soulful within his strikingly bold melodies.
The Drum Media, Australia
Cody is unusually versatile, handling up-tempo grooves, Miles Davis-inspired funk and moods of tranquil impressionism with equal assurance.
The Age, Australia
The suave Chris Cody, who’s unique, North African influenced modern jazz is refreshing like a breeze off the ocean, and redolent with mystery.
Drum Media, Australia
While his harmonic ingenuity and his accomplishment and touch at the keyboard were to be admired in this performance, it was his compositions which particularly caught the ear...This was strong confident improvising, with space between phrases for the rhythm section to churn over Cody’s ideas, before he would return with a line that might curl as unpredictably as a cut snake.
Sydney Morning Herald
At last, a Coalition you can cheer for...Cody played his heart out.
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
There is an almost Ellingtonian spirit in Cody's spare piano playing and his dedication to an overall band sound. Instead of technical displays, which Cody resists as an end in themselves, there is the gentle construction of moods and narratives carefully constructed and played with charm and finesse.
The Australian Financial Review
Cody seemed to chisel his lines, so fiercely and clearly were they drawn as he fed off the rhythm section.
Sydney Morning Herald
The young Australian has a strong Monk influence which he is beginning to take in interesting directions. Monks Mood follows the original Flooze Blooze and cements the prevailing sound of a very competent and enjoyable record by a group that has had some European exposure. Cody writes well and "Shadows" and the mournful ballad "After the Storm" suggest a developing talent.
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, sixth edition
If Australasia is the new melting pot, Chris Cody’s band Coalition is a fair representation of its creative diversity...lively and joyous ... His strength is in shaping a group sound, creating atmospheres. On "Shadows across the Land" and "After the Storm", the latter another feature for Greening’s pocket trumpet, he patiently colours in backgrounds, content to stay out of the limelight. Only on "Shadows" does he cut loose and show glimpses of what he might achieve in years to come.
The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD Fifth Edition
|
|
