Swailing by Julien Wilson

“Swailing” describes a “prescribed burn to encourage regrowth”, something that is synonymous with the Australian landscape. The stunning painting on the CD cover by Melbourne artist, Dale Cox, evocatively captures the often-brutal-beauty of the relationship between Fire and the Australian Landscape. The combination of old and new material on Swailing reflects the trio’s desire, and need, for renewal and new growth. Delving in to the past to create the future. Some of these tunes have been staples of the trios repertoire since the very start, and some were written specifically for the recording.

A decade of performing together as a trio has enabled them to develop a signature, loping 3-feel and a unified rubato phrasing that sounds as if they are sharing one mind. In the absence of a traditional rhythm section of bass and drums, the three instruments (all roughly the same range in pitch) have to find new roles to give the music completeness. An additional bonus of the lack of bass and drums is that the level of details that can be heard from the acoustic instruments is truly astounding. Subtle clicks from the accordion buttons, fingers on the guitar strings, and breath and key-noise from the saxophone all add an extra layer of rhythm and texture to the recording that give the listener the impression they are experiencing the band from the inside-out. The recording has a sumptuous depth and clarity, and the band have utilised the studio to create multi-layered tracks that create an orchestral, three-dimensional, cinematic experience.

REVIEWS
"they weave in and out with a beautiful precision that only experience can bring. Although mostly subdued, it is a strangely uplifting and enjoyable music." Michael Prescott - Jazzwise - UK

"The folksy charm and easy pace of Swailing is pretty damn enchanting all its own, but it’s the way in which the Julien Wilson Trio builds drama with tiny bursts of lyricism that represents the album’s most enthralling characteristic. A very cool album, offering up plenty of intrigue and some stunning moments of beauty." Dave Sumner - Bird is the Worm

"The Julien Wilson Trio came together with such astonishing naturalness that the music seemed to be playing itself, pouring out of the players' instruments like glittering lava and sending arrows of aching lyricism straight to the heart.” Jessica Nicholas - The Age

“In fact, it was Wilson who provided what may have been the highlight of the Festival when he performed with his Trio in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The sheer majestic quality of this band’s music is astounding, and, in the vast surroundings of the Cathedral, Wilson’s soaring tenor took on a spiritual quality, reaching all the way back to Coltrane." Des Cowley - Rhythms

“Wilson has been a force in Australian jazz for a dozen years with his dark tenor saxophone sound and imaginative compositions for highly interactive bands, often with unconventional instrumentation." John Shand - Sydney Morning Herald

Julien Wilson is an Australian saxophonist and founder of Lionsharecords.com He plays regularly with a collection of Australia's finest musicians and can be heard live and on recordings with the likes of Stephen Magnusson, Barney McAll, Sam Anning, Andrea Keller, Jonathan Zwartz, Mike Nock, Vanessa Perica, Stu Hunter, Brett Williams & Ray Pereira.

julienwilson.com