TIM JAGO

TIME SHIFT

Bespoke Jazz

Tim Jago, guitar/composer/arranger; Mark Small, saxophone; Martin Bejerano, keyboards; Dion Kerr, electric & upright bass; David Chiverton, drums.

Tim Jago is part of the global scene with his musical journey beginning in Perth, Western Australia. The local jazz community immediately embraced him as a new guitar voice on the Australian jazz horizon.  When I heard the first tune of this album called, “Time Shift” I recognized a blend of rock music with jazz.  It is the title tune and gave a wide spotlight to David Chiverton on drums.

The members of Jago’s ensemble are individually renowned, each in their own right. They are all A-listers on the jazz scene. Pianist and keyboard master, Martin Bejerano is an acclaimed Latin Grammy-nominated musician and educator.  Jago’s saxophonist is Mark Small, a Grammy award winner and multi-instrumentalist. Bass man, Dion Kerr is also a bandleader.  He co-founded the band ‘The Smoogies.’ Kerr has a pending album release this year. He opens Track #2, laying down the tempo and bassline simultaneously for a tune called “Calypso’ish.”

Jago’s compositions are arranged leaning a bit towards fusion and electronic jazz.  Chiverton’s drums are ever-present and popping the rhythm into place.  The tempos change in the various tunes and often in the arrangements themselves. I hear many ‘time shifts.’  Jago’s guitar is the star sparkling throughout this production.  The unexpected shifting of tempos and time, as well as the addition of one instrument double-timing a tune, while another holds true to the original tempo, keeps my attention. There is a fiery building of energy and a crescendo of percussive brilliance towards the end of this second Track.

Then, on Track #3, the drums once again slap the rhythm in our face, solid like a wet towel. Chiverton pops the rhythm, and the all-star group follows his lead on “Soil to Sky,” a tribute to the march of ancestors from earth to heaven. Once again, the time changes are evident as the tune moves from 4/4 to 5/8 time. The changing tempos, like the melodic solos, move in a direction that pulls us upward. Mark Small’s saxophone solo smooths the momentum in a jazzy way, but Chiverton’s demanding drums never let up.

Tim Jago wrote the tune “Major” to share memories of his childhood spent in the outback Australian country landscape.  Dion Kerr’s bass solo is lovely and explores the upper register of his six-string, electronic instrument.

The ensemble has covered two familiar songs.  One is Bernie Miller’s composition, “Bernie’s Tune.”  The other is “Body and Soul” by Johnny Green, that employs a drum rhythm reminiscent of the Ahmad Jamal production of the famed Poinciana recording.  With that drum beat winding through the tune, and Jago’s guitar singing the sweet melody on top, it makes for a fresh and interesting arrangement. He definitely paints this familiar tune with iridescent, unexpected colors. The old standard quickly becomes one of my favorites on this album.  I also enjoyed “Fine Line” with its Straight-ahead presentation played at a brisk pace.

These tracks are a journey meant to reflect life and the many tempo-changes we face each and every day.  It is clear why Tim Jago calls this album “Time Shift,” because he uses that concept in every one of these recorded tunes.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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