Jazz
Sound Barrier
Blaine Whittaker
Released 2008 © Saxis Records

Tracklist:
1. Road Song
2. Scorpion
3. Still Crazy after all these years
4. Walk on by
5. Fig Jam
6. Groovebag
7. Feelin’ Blue
8. Pure Rain
9. Song For Someone

An Aussie lad who’s definitely been around the traps, from the US to all over Asia playing with the worlds best and then undoubtedly establishing himself as one of Australia’s finest musicians.   Collaborating with Australian big names, James Morrison, John Foreman and Erina Clark for Whittakers 3rd album Sound Barrier, you are in for a spectacular musical 3 course meal.
 
Sound barrier was definitely an awakening to me, who knew that Jazz could sound so young and cool!  With everything you would expect from a Jazz album, easy listening tracks like Walk on by, Fig Jam and Pure Rain’s smooth grooves, funky keyboards, and of course Whittaker’s unmatchable technique. Whittaker and James Morrison left Burt Bacharach’s Walk on by delightfully unrecognizable.

My favorites were Roadsong with the superb call and response between Sax and Electric guitar, and the revolutionised Scorpion with its deep, dynamic tones, and of course DJ Bonez’ scratching was so very innovative for this genre that I would dare to say…. move over Buddha Bar, because there is a new mode of cool lounge and chill out music in town. 

Review by Megan Nuell

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