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Reviewed by Bing Turkby

3 Voices: Self-titled

Reviewed by Bing Turkby

3 Voices: Self-titled

An astonishingly eclectic, re-release from Oho Recordings who state that their purpose is to release recordings that are “… the expression of creative minds, unfettered by commercial considerations, and hence are more challenging and ultimately more rewarding to the listener.” Sometimes the use of ‘challenging’ is just shorthand for ‘the band can’t play their instruments and don’t care’ but that is definitely not the case with 3 Voices. These are some talented musicians flexing their imaginations, and going by the results, I’d say they were having a blast too. Despite the boundless creativity on show the songs are still accessible. There’s a Talking Heads’ vibe to New World in the driving groove of the drums and bass, jangly guitar and growly vocals. This track also features the sax talents of Paul Nairn. There are some tunes that feel more free-form and evocative, and some that are almost Split Enz-style boundary-pushing pop. The principal instigators are accomplished veterans Rob Sinclair and David Bowater, formerly of Schtung and Ray A, and Steve Garden. There isn’t room here to list all the instruments they play. They organised eight midnight-to-dawn sessions with fellow broad-minded musos, and made sure there was an atmosphere of open-ness so that “… there was plenty of room for moving with the moment”. The result is a pop/rock/jazz/experimental/chamber music odyssey.

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