Shine, ‘new age’ jazz

Press, 18 February 1989, Page 8

Shine, ‘new age’ jazz

Shine, a “new age”'band, at the State Trinity Centre, February 17, 8 p.m. by Philip Norman. No disrespect intended for Wild Bill ' Davison, but last evening my ears were ’ caught by some of the most exciting jazz ; to have arrived in Christchurch in recent "times. This music was imported not from > the bullet-scarred speakeasies of Chicago, but from the tranquil surround- ; ings of Nelson, New Zealand. - “Shine” is the name of the band responsible for providing this stimulating fare. Shine is what this group did when unfolding the most inventive samples of its original material. All three musicians contribute substantially to the success of the trio’s sound. On fretless bass, Teriu Le Mon showed mastery of a wide range of expression pitch bends, slurs and glissandi. Scarcely a note of his soft-edged tone passed by without some form of individual colouring. On guitar, Ross Wilson’s harder-edged attack provided much of the rhythmic drive for the music. Some adroit licks slipped between the changes added melodic interest to his cleanly fingered harmony work. The creative muscle of Shine’s sound, however, was supplied by Nigel Patterson on an amazing array of instruments, including bamboo flute, penny whistle,

trumpet, and harmonica. The skill he displayed on each left one in little doubt that here was a musician of unusual talent. I was impressed equally with the richness of his trumpet tone and the clarity of his articulation on bamboo flute. To cap the display of versatility, he also demonstrated a surprising power and sensitivity of line as a singer. However, to realise his full potential as a performer, he needs to begin extending himself in improvisatory work. His rhythmic patterns, for example, are often based primarily on one-note value. That these were at all times cleanly delivered suggests he has the agility to slip in double-timed phrases by way of variation. He ought also to polish his diction. For all that one could hear of his introductions, they may as well have been soken in Gaelic. Nevertheless, I repeat, these musicians produce a vital sound. They label it “new age,” purportedly a type of mainly instrumental music lying between jazz, folk and acoustic, but to my ear it is simply a lively extension of the jazz-rock tradition. If Shine return to Christchurch to perform, I can thoroughly recommend them. If they do not, then I suggest sampling the trio’s recently released “Dream Enhance” album.