FINN REES Vinyl & CDs

Review: Dawn Is A Melody is the debut album from Tasmania-born, Melbourne-based Finn Rees. It is a deep, textured jazz record that skilfully blends vintage vibes with modern vitality all while also paying homage to jazz greats and exploring new ideas with Melbourne's top talent. Known for his work with 30/70 and Elle Shimada, Finn shifts from groove-based jazz to spotlight the piano and arrangements on his mission to create a rich, colourful microcosm driven by hope and curiosity. The album spans from the optimistic 'Looking Up' and 'Lagoon' to the intimate 'Ablaze' and 'As It Passes.' It is a delight to listen to and will appeal to fans of everyone from Alice Coltrane to Herbie Hancock.

Review: London-based producer Sholto (Oscar Robertson) teams up with Melbourne pianist Finn Rees for two collaborative pieces recorded in a short session at SFJ Studios. 'Love In Memory' and 'Bluebell' were laid down over consecutive days using analogue equipment, including mellotron, Wurlitzer and ribbon mics and mixed through a 70s Studer desk. The result is a measured blend of jazz-inflected composition and cinematic texture, leaning into the soft-focus feel of Italian film scores and 70s library music. 'Love In Memory' is the more stripped-back of the two, built around glissando keys and lightly arranged strings while 'Bluebell' adds bass from Matthew Hayes and develops in longer arcs, with warmer low-end and more defined structure. Both tracks avoid excess, favouring tone and pacing over virtuosity. String parts from Clementine Brown further the record's focus on texture rather than drama. The collaboration doesn't aim to be definitive but lands confidently as a quiet, well-formed experiment between two artists working with a shared vocabulary.