Reviews

On August 13th, Russian pianist Konstantin Shamray and Steinway Piano Model D582419 debuted on the stage of the Perth Concert Hall. The two were a match made in music heaven, each the perfect complement to the talent of the other and each outshining the competition in their journey to the Perth stage.

For Konstantin Shamray, the contest began in Moscow, one of 12 cities to hold auditions for the 9th Sydney International Piano Competition of Australia. In total, the 12 auditions hosted 240 aspiring pianists, of which just 36 were invited to perform in the Sydney competition (Shamray was one of three chosen from Moscow). Once in Sydney, Konstantin competed in five stages over two weeks, playing pieces that ranged from traditional Mozart concertos to contemporary Australian compositions. At the contest’s end, Shamray was named not only the Judge’s winner, but also the People’s Choice, the first ever contestant to claim both titles. Konstantin was then invited to play the Winner’s Recital at Perth Concert Hall. (more…)

Xavier Rudd - Dark Shades of Blue - Salt X

The world’s sexiest barefoot vegetarian (as declared by PETA in 2007) is back with his fifth studio album, Dark Shades of Blue. Whereas the last album, White Moth, was a mostly lighthearted album, Dark Shades of Blue is, well, darker. The album’s title track explodes into life after the instrumental opener ‘Blackwater’, while the backing vocals on later tracks ‘Guku’ and ‘Shiver’ (‘Shiver’ backup done by Xavier’s wife and the album cover artist Marci Lutken-Rudd) are a haunting highlight of the album’s political themes. ‘Up in Flames’ and “This World as We Know It’ are trademark Xavier jam tracks that will have fans anxiously awaiting tour dates, while ‘Edge of the Moon’ is a feel-gooder that would easily have fit in amongst the offerings on White Moth. Taken together the songs on Dark Shades of Blue showcases Xavier’s tremendous talents on the yirdaki (more commonly called a didgeridoo) and slide guitar on a diverse collection of songs. This album is a real teaser for the stellar live performances that are sure to follow. –MS (more…)

Sessions Five - Ministry of Sound

Mixed by the unstoppable Top 10 local Irish dance act The Potbelleez alongside Ministry’s own Goodwill, Sessions Five will excite the ears of the nation. Set over two CDs, Sessions Five delivers the perfect dose of current club smash hits along with a swag of audible goodies that are well on their way to becoming club phenomena. Featuring over forty tracks, Sessions Five has an armoury of secret weapons up its sleeve which are set to unleash on stereos the nation over. Just a few of these audio bombs include first usage on the highly anticipated follow-up singles from The Potbelleez, Alex Gaudino and TV Rock. Add to this the hottest club tracks of the moment from the likes of PNAU with their hit Bby, The Presets’ This Boy’s In Love, Utah Saints’ Something Good ‘08, Sam Sparro’s Black And Gold, and club smashes from Eric Prydz, Freemasons and The Aston Shuffle and you’ve got yourself one killer album. –SM (more…)

SAM SPARRO - Sam Sparro - Island

Gay, Christian, white, soulful – these adjectives all seem to apply to Sam Sparro, the Australian-American whose single Black and Gold was recently a deserved #1 single in the dance charts and is charting #21 in the singles. There’s more captivating electro funk where that came from: his debut album is stuffed with it, some immediate enough to match Black and Gold’s success. Sparro’s bright, brassy sound-beds are the work of someone who has grown up with house and 1980s synth-pop and, to this, he adds a voice that has no business belonging to a white Californian. The influence of Bill Withers and Gil Scott-Heron asserts itself in his supple vocals, to the point where Sick – in which his voice is pared down to an echo – comes as a welcome contrast. On Hot Mess, his falsetto out-Princes Prince, though it has been years since Prince wrote such caustic, concise funk. Sparro could soon be one high-flying bird. – SM (more…)

Pete Murray - Summer at Eureka - Columbia

Australia’s answer to Jack Johnson is back with his third studio album. Combining the body of a footballer with the soul of a musician, Pete, like Jack, finds his niche singing strum happy tunes that have a tendency to blur together into one wave of ocean-loving laidback goodness. If you’re looking for variety, well, look elsewhere, but if you want more of Pete’s slow, sexy vocals with a bit of standard rock to get you in the mood, pick up Summer at Eureka and try not to drool on the cover. –MS (more…)

CUT COPY - In Ghost Colours - Modular

Infectious as any release this year, In Ghost Colours succeeds, not due to its originality, you’ve heard this before, but because of its timing and measured approach. This isn’t a hookfest, all soaring guitars and trying-to-be-anthemic posturing, nor is it repetitive, the same pattern playing out for seven minutes at a time. The Melbourne outfit tempers one extreme with the other, reverberating guitars balancing out warm synths and, yes, a handful of gigantic hooks, hung like gaudy neon signage on several songs, most notably ‘Lights’ and ‘Music’, which radiates a hollow righteousness via dynamic twiddles and a few well-placed, angular guitar riffs. (more…)

KATHERINE JENKINS - Rejoice - UCJ Music

Welsh-born mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins has had many honours bestowed on her and the release of her fifth studio album, Rejoice, only further confirms that she is blessed with a golden voice. Her incredible range, breath control and phrasing are all spot on the mark. Quirky material choices add to the enjoyment – Mascagni’s aria, ‘Sancta Maria’, is followed by the Doris Day hit, ‘Secret Love’. Katherine supposedly shattered a chandelier in her early school singing days, so when you crank up the volume on this one, make sure the Stuart crystal is nowhere in sight! (more…)

kd lang – Watershed – Warner

Simple lyrics and classic singing. Watershed sees Sapphic sex symbol of the early 90s k.d. lang resurface as a mature and powerful singer at the top of her craft. From the sounds of a French springtime in the album’s opening tracks to the country touches in its closing, lang proves that, in a world that worships Idol contestants and the latest post-Britney pop craze, sometimes becoming a timeless classic takes time. The Bonus DVD includes interviews about her journey from ‘Constant Craving’ to ‘Watershed’, including comments about her sexuality and its impact on her songwriting and album decisions. All in all, get this album and get it fast – before her April 19 show at King’s Park. –MS (more…)

Euro Groove, the latest in the series from iconic world music label Putumayo, is a laid back album that fuses contemporary lounge with a collection of diverse musical styles from Europe. The result is an exciting fusion that manages to deliver a collection of tracks that have a consistency that works well as an album, though the different musical roots of the assembled groups means that each track retains a refreshing individuality. (more…)

Mary J Blige - Growing Pains - Geffen Records

The last we heard MJB was declaring ‘No More Drama’ and this time around she’s sharing the love she’s found. Her new album is certainly more up tempo than the last and standout songs include ‘Feel Like a Woman’ and ‘Till the morning’. If music is an insight into the soul, then MJB’s new offering is an announcement that she’s doing fine. Plus the diva can sing. Giveaways at www.outinperth.com. -BD (more…)