Featured Artist: The Richard Maegraith Band

CD Title: Free Running

Year: 2008

Record Label: JazzGroove Records

Style: Contemporary Jazz

Musicians:

Richard Maegraith (tenor saxophone), Jonathon Zwartz (bass), Gary Daley (keyboards), Tim Firth (drums) and special guest Kristin Berardi (vocals)

Review:

 Australian reedist Richard Maegraith is a well established and recognized artist in the Sydney musical scene. He has explored jazz soundscapes (Mike Nock, Bob Florence, James Muller, James Morrison, Dan Barnett, Judy Bailey, Simon Sweeney, John Foreman, Mat McMahon, Jonathon Zwartz), pop/rock (Carl Riseley, Ahmad Dhani, The Black Sorrows, Wonderbrass, Gotham City Horns, Nikki Bennett, Big Toy, Reverend Funk, Buzz Band) Latin (Tigramuna, Cumana, Candela), world (Badema), funk (Voodoo Jazz Collective, Kthwack, Daryl Aberhart, Jeff Duff) or television/theatre (Kerry-Anne Kennerley, Midday Show, Good News Week, Great Outdoors, Crazy For You, Showboat, Tom Burlinson).

The Richard Maegraith Band has invited vocalist Kristin Berardi in which the results delight us with a fresh release (which was launched at the Basement in Sydney last 25th June) in full of vigorous energy combined with high skills and strength to go beyond boundaries.  The music of Free Running is all Maegrith’s inspiration. He’s indeed a talented saxophonist, composer and arranger. His voice is warm, metallic and is involved in a great lyricism as well as a fervent approach. In every track Maegraith mixes up finely toned saxophone busters. He drives each set with a firm approach providing a groove, or at times, a more tenacious pulse that reaches great heights.

The compositions are well orchestrated, sometimes smoothly and melodic, yet each one contains richness and great jazz substance.  This album is without a doubt appealing and heartily unique. Maegraith reaches a fusion of deep melodies and guides us into an interesting contemporary jazz trip coupled with tons of artistry and groovy spaces. It deserves a light!

From Sydney to New York …certainly Maegraith will be heard.

Record Label Website: http://www.jazzgroove.com

Artist's Website: http://www.richardmaegraith.com

Reviewed by: Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez

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