2022 NZ Jazz Album of the Year Finalists Devils Gate Outfit release their 2021 debut album on 12" Vinyl.
Pōneke’s Devils Gate Outfit has been thrilling audiences for the past 3 years with their unique blend of jazz composition, sonic exploration, improvisation and deep grooves.
Featuring a lineup of some of Wellington’s most prolific and experienced improvising musicians who, through their longstanding residency at premiere venue Meow, have cultivated a dedicated regular audience which has followed them into becoming the most original and adventurous jazz band in the city.
This album was recorded live in concert at Meow in September 2021, directly after New Zealand’s second Covid lockdown and features compositions inspired by Wellington’s rugged and volatile South coast.
"The album is bursting with restless spirits, and I am not surprised that such a powerful genie was let out of the bottle so quickly. There are multitudes of spirits hovering over the recording, fragmentary echoes of Ornette and Miles, but the predominant voices are those which haunt the ragged windy Wellington coastline. All are paid their due, but the album is unconfined by the many streams that feed it. It is above all a succinct commentary on the breadth of improvised music that is thriving in Aotearoa right now.
The album is loosely programmatic but does not follow a linear storyline. It establishes a theme, then drops kaleidoscopic images. letting the music paint evocative sound pictures. There is a wealth of musicianship evident here as well. I am familiar with most of the players and it is good to hear Cory Champion expanding his percussion role to Vibes.
If I had to pick a tune that best exemplifies the album it would be the opener Storm of the Century. Anthony Donaldson owns this track and it is his pulse that sets the others free. I will be surprised if this isn’t a contender for Tui Jazz Album of the year. (Jazzlocal32.com)
Nominated for 2022 Jazz Album of the Year at the NZMA
Anthony Donaldson - drums
Tom Callwood - double bass
Steve Roche - cornet/baritone horn/casio
Blair Latham - saxophones/bass clarinet
David Donaldson - bass banjo/percussion
Daniel Beban - guitar/electronics
Cory Champion - vibes/percussion/synthesizer
Mastered by Anne Taegert at D & M, with artwork by Julien Dyne this Kiwijahzz classic is available in a limited edition of 200 copies.
Tracklist:
1. Storm of the Century 12:03
2. Gannet Dives 06:36
3. Spooky Creek 06:43
4. Wood Drift 08:02
5. The Portal to Red Rocks 08:18
6. Rogue Wave 11:21
