WallenBink Vinyl & CDs

Review: Jazz audio arborist Dr Tree is itself a multi-branched organism, having first emerged from the (urban) forests of New Zealand as the inosculated union of session musicians Frank Gibson Jr. and Murray Macnab. After catching the attention of EMI, the pair released the eponymous Dr Tree in 1976, which came as an all-instrumental prog excursion into territories already settled by the likes of Weather Report and Return To Forever, yet not fully developed until Dr Tree's prognosis. These roots hold a tight grip; star album cuts 'Transition', 'Affirmation' and 'The Drum' demonstrate a complete, master musicianship, and combine this with studio trickeries of the weirdest and most arcane ilk, making for an unforgettable prog magnolia of minimally treated sound, but still grandly impressive proportions.

Review: Bora Rokovic's JBW blends the energy of jazz and funk, creating an engaging interplay between tight basslines and a rolling electric piano. The track's complex, yet subtle rhythms showcase Rokovic's technical prowess, drawing listeners in with its intricate grooves. This tight, experimental jazz serves as a fantastic testament to his skill in balancing improvisation and structure. The accompanying piece weaves in melancholic cello, adding a layer of depth and texture. The result is a release that holds an air of sophistication, offering both complexity and fluidity in equal measure.