Méva's Journal: Chimera

Straight from Australia, sounding like New York in 1960, Meva's Journal plays it mostly old school, with an interesting twist.

On Chimera, this hard-bop band swings in all the right places. The band, led by Evan J. Evans, lists Thelonious Monk as their major influence, and it is easy to hear. The band features Tyger Middleton on tenor saxophone and Chis James on alto saxophone; they sound great while trading solos, especially when playing lines in tandem. With Alex Asker adeptly walking his bass and composer and drummer Evans riding the high hats, it is a tight unit. The group formed at Jazz Music Institute in Brisbane Australia and is well versed in jazz fundamentals.

The most interesting song on the album is a sneaky little thing called "Chandelier." It broods and builds as it goes. The song's first half seems conventional as pianist Jordy Stitt takes his time developing a haunting solo when the music gets dramatic. After a few listens, the song seems to contain a mysterious narrative. "Chandelier" is as much about storytelling as it is about music. The album Chimera hits all the right notes. Sixty-some years and halfway around the world, Meva's Journal has recreated a smokey New York nightclub of yesteryear. The album fits in with some of the heavy-weight classics this band has obviously studied thoroughly.