Mike Nock has long been one of the most famous jazz musicians based in Australia, helped by the fact that he has visited the U.S. many times through the years. This CD begins with the most interesting selection, "Ozboppin'," which quickly goes from bop to
Ornette Coleman, freer areas, and back to bop. Most of the other numbers alternate between melancholy ballads worthy of the mid-'60s
Miles Davis Quintet to more heated numbers. Tim Hopkins on tenor recalls
Wayne Shorter in spots, but has a fairly original tone, as does the talented young trumpeter Phil Slater; bassist Cameron Undy and drummer David Goodman are fine in support. With the exception of "Come Sunday" and "End of a Love Affair" (a ballad feature for Hopkins), all of the selections are
Nock originals. A stimulating set of advanced hard bop. ~ Scott Yanow