All About Jazz (USA)
" New
Light is pleasingly solid throughout. Carroll, Moriarty and Brady
are skilled musicians with an obvious rapport, and their disc is
a fine display of craft and assured soul."
New Light is a straightforward disc of gospel and blues-inspired
numbers. The Irish Organics organ trio, which has been together
since 1997, is far from radical, but it delivers the goods consistently
on these tasteful and restrained performances. As is to be expected,
Justin Carrolls Hammond organ is the focus of the proceedings.
Carroll effectively reveals the multidimensional charms of his instrument,
letting it wail strikingly at full throttle during the climax of
New Light. Drummer Kevin Brady skillfully shifts from
Latin-styled beats to soft brushwork. Postman Pat gives
him the opportunity to lay down a skittering, full-bodied solo.
For the most part, guitarist John Moriarty is on hand to add subtle
accents. He contributes a fine, murmuring solo to the pretty ballad
Rejections. Another highlight is the Brady-penned Elysian
Fields, in which the trio works around a tightly coiled, insistent
melody, inspiring quicksilver statements from each player. If it
doesnt inspire any revelations, New Light is pleasingly solid
throughout. Carroll, Moriarty and Brady are skilled musicians with
an obvious rapport, and their disc is a fine display of craft and
assured soul.
Contributed by Stephen Latessa
Jazzwise (U.K.)
'New Light is a strong album, managing to toe the line between mainstream and modernism.'
Visitors to the Cork jazz festival might have noted how sophisticated home-grown acts were - not least Organics, a Hammond trio, whose classy gospel/blues inspired debut appears after seven years of residencies across Ireland. Taking their cues from past masters and modernising a 1960's organ/guitar/drums style forged by Larry Young, The trio display an ability to cook up down-home grooves while keeping a delicate sensibility that imbues their music with freshness.' An affinity for balladry - the sweet 'Rejections' and the gospel drenched 'Down Hoe' is matched by a flair for twisted grooves on the time shifting 'Pound' with Moriarty shining. Carroll, meanwhile, is a skilful, soulful organist, improvising with finesse over Kevin Brady's drums.
Contributed by Tom Barlow
Jazz & Tzaz (Greece)
Organics are three young Dubliners who have played together for 10 years now and are being true-blue to perennial jazz values, everything they play on their debut CD comes out in a quite natural way. The straight-ahead course that they follow leads them to the classic organ trio sound of the ‘60s: Hard swing drive, light beat brushwork and latin bridges by Kevin Brady’s drums, continual sharp chords and lucid melodic lines played on top of familiar bebop progressions by John Moriarty’s pick and massive, three-dimensioned playing by Justin Carroll’s keys, who balances between funk, jazz and blues and reminds of Larry Young’s style. Young’s influence to a great extend determine the mood and the melodic choices, as it becomes profound on “Pound” which resembles to Woody Shaw’s “Moontrane” out of the eminent Larry Young album “Unity”. Overall Organics step on solid ground, and it makes an impression with their well-knit and enjoyable sound.Contributed by Vangelis Aragiannis
Jazz Review
(USA):
Organics' music is deep into gospel, emotionally constructed
and totally orchestrated.
Organics is a trio of young Irish jazzmen. New Light
is an album to listen on all occasions, not because of banality
but because the trio makes each one of these tracks a
unique experience. Throughout the nine tracks, Organics transports
the listener on a travel of complex musical genres in
which one can feel the extraordinary energy and emotions that
bound to the Trio. The Hammond is groovy, happy, gospel
and well mastered. since every member of the band basically follows
his own path, they come together in Organics combining all
of their distinct discoveries. "Angela's Kitchen"
is terrifically funky. Organics' music is deep into gospel,emotionally
constructed and totally orchestrated.
Contributed by Dr. Ana Isabel Ordonez
Yolk Records
(France)
"The music suggested by this trio swings and grooves, the guitar
playing of John Moriarty is moving and Justin Carrolls organ
playing offers us a broad harmonic pallet while Kevin Brady directs
his playing around masterful polyphonies yet without over complexity
for the listener."
Organics are a guitar-organ-drums trio from Ireland. Formed in 1997,
the group have worked a lot on the other side of the channel but
it is only this year they have released their debut album "New
Light" (self-production). John Moriarty, the guitarist of the
group has a certain reputation in Ireland, and has received many
prizes which testify his level of playing. Kevin Brady, the drummer,
has played with many well known artists of the Irish and International
jazz scene. Justin Carroll, the organist of the group studied with
many well known jazz artists: Kenny Werner, Dave Holland, Joe Lovano,
Dave Douglas, Joey Baron, Mark Feldman, The music suggested by this
trio swings and grooves, the guitar playing of John Moriarty is
moving and Justin Carrolls organ playing offers us a broad
harmonic pallet while Kevin Brady directs his playing around masterful
polyphonies yet without over complexity for the listener. "New
Light" is built around original compositions by the trio except
for "Postman Pat", taken from a TV theme composed by Bryan
Daly. The opening track "According to John" by guitarist
John Moriarty clearly draws its influences from the blues, it evokes
moments of the first compositions of Wes Montgomery and offers a
number of variations in the time between the guitar and the organ.
Throughout the nine titles of this album, Organics transports us
on a voyage of musical genres. Their music is deep and sensual,
proof that there is some great musicians in Ireland, and this trio
attests promptness and true personality of the Irish scene jazz.
Contributed by Mr.Ronan Le Pennec
Jazzpolice.com (USA)
'Organics' is an Irish organ trio with amazing chops. They have
been performing and composing since 1997 and this year released
their first CD "New Light". I shouldn't be surprised that
Ireland has a world class organ trio. Some of my first exposure
to the sweet sound of the Hammond organ was listening to the 'blue-eyed
soul' of another Irishman, Van Morrison singing with the group Them
in the '60s. In recent years Van has switched to jazz, and selected
Organics' organist Justin Carroll to tour internationally with him.
Well known in Ireland, Organics have backed visiting jazz musicians
such as Bobby Watson and Gil Scott-Heron.Organics' music swings and grooves, but is not greasy. While avoiding
showy theatrics, the band allows its solid musicianship and depth
of jazz knowledge to be revealed throughout their music. John Moriarty
is soulful on guitar and while Justin Carroll provides an ample
pocket; playful polyrhythmic diversions from drummer Kevin Brady
keep it all fresh and swinging. New Light features all original numbers except for POSTMAN PAT by
Bryan Daly, a theme song from an animated BBC television show. New
Light opens with ACCORDING TO JOHN by guitarist John Moriarty, this
tune is swinging with a bluesy feel, similar to Wes Montgomery's
early compositions and reminds me of the pioneering work of Wes
Montgomery and Mel Rhyne with subtle contrapuntal interplay between
the guitar and organ. The title track, written by organist Justin Carroll, along with
his arrangement of POSTMAN PAT, evokes the sound and reveals the
influence of the late great Larry Young (it has been said that if
Jimmy Smith was the Charlie Parker of the B3 organ, than Larry Young
was it's Coltrane).
DOWN HOE is a gospel influenced soulful ballad by Moriarty. ANGELAS
KITCHEN is up tempo funky number by Carroll. The groove laden ELYSIAN
FIELDS by Drummer Kevin Brady is a modal exploration. In Greek mythology,
Elysian Fields are the abode of the blessed, situated at the end
of the world where that chosen by the gods are sent. The Organics
version makes it a very groovy paradise. The CD closes with GIVE
UP THE CAKE, a funky and sweet 12 bar blues: A tasty desert for
this satisfying musical meal.Contributed by Don Berryman
Sunday Tribune (Ireland)
Get the album, and catch them live while you still can.
Organics ,featuring Justin Carroll on Hammond organ, John Moriarty
on guitar and Kevin Brady on drums, strike that fine balance between
tradition and innovation. Irelands leading organ trio, they
were awarded the Music Networks Young Musicwide Award in 2004.
All three contribute excellent tunes to an almost entirely original
set , the only exception being an arch reworking of the theme from
Postman Pat. Get the album, and catch them live while you still
can.
Contributed by Cormac Larkin
Irish Times
New Light evokes the most characterful performances by a fine
group now reaping the rewards of years of dedicated playing together
Organics John Moriarty (Guitar), Justin Carroll ( Hammond
Organ) and Kevin Brady (drums) are the first jazz group to
win the Music Networks Young Musicwide award. This CD is effectively
a culmination of the trios gains under this programme. Instrumentally
, the line-up has a venerable , blues drenched jazz tradition ,
and Organics have tried to broaden it somewhat with an album almost
exclusively of originals by band members. It yields its rewards
, perhaps most persuasively on Bradys fine Elysian Fields
,which has some of their most unbuttoned playing. But its
probably the pieces that come closer to the tradition ( Downhoe
, According to John and rockers Angelas Kitchen and Give up
the Cake) that evoke the most characterful performances by a fine
group now reaping the rewards of years of dedicated playing together.
Contributed by Ray Comiskey
Sunday Independent (Ireland)
It's a CD that repays repeated listening
Organics has been a regular unit since 1997, and it shows in the
rapport between the musicians. While rooted in the tradition of
the great organ-guitar-drums trios, the group, which won the 2004
Young Musicwide Award, has its own fresh, original sound. With the
exception of Postman Pat, the tunes are new. According to John and
Down Hoe are by John Moriarty, who also made his own guitar. Justin
Carroll wrote four numbers, my favourite being Angela's Kitchen.
The atmospheric Elysian Fields is by Kevin Brady, while the final
tune is a communal piece of advice to the sedentary: Give up the
Cake. The mood throughout is mellow, and most of the tracks are
taken at a relaxed mid-tempo. It's a CD that repays repeated listening.
It's available in record shops or from www.organicsmusic.com.
Contributed by Grainne Farren
The Evening
Herald (Ireland)
A masterful Irish Jazz recording ****
This year , the latest outfit to make waves are Organics, who officially
released their CD, New Light last week (July 25). Organics - Justin Carroll on Hammond organ, drummer Kevin Brady
and guitarist John Moriarty - have managed to capture the sound of the
great Blue Note Hammond-led trios of the 1950s. But this is no slavish
copy. Eight of the nine numbers here are originals. The ninth, Post Man Pat (yes, that Postman Pat!) shows the trio's humorous
side. A masterful Irish Jazz recording
Contributed by Matt Nugent
Press
Quotes from live gigs
Enniscorthy
Echo
Music Lovers in Co.Wexford were treated to a rare sight last Thursday
night when award-winning jazz trio , Organics , performed an intimate
concert in Dunbrody Visitor Centre , located on New Ross quay front.
Promoted by Music for New Ross the concert was part of a nationwide
Music Network tour. The setting , not withstanding certain visual
constraints, was perfect for the music on hand and Organics provided
wonderful entertainment courtesy of a mixed set of original and
cover material. According to John the opening
original number set the tone for the evening and provided the audience
with an upbeat jazz number complete with loose bass lines courtesy
of the organist the band didnt have a bass player.
The drum-kit was interesting , and perfect for touring , in that
all the toms fitted inside The bass drum which had a slit
seam down the middle. The compact nature of the kit didnt
detract from the sound however and in particular the snare drum
had a lovely ring to it which was endearing.The subtle
use of sticks and brushes throughout , in addition to some fabulous
guitar and organ lines,made for very enjoyable listening.
The second number on the night , Miles Davis Israel
, was one of the highlights and the guitar sound on this particular
number bore more than a passing resemblance to that associated with
B.B. King. Original song , Downhoe , possessed a wonderfully
subtle change in tempo and mood halfway through and it served to
showcase the writing talents of Organics. There are many fine bands
. singers , musicians and orchestras in this country , however ,its
only the ones who turn their hands to writing original material
that stand out from the crowd. In that regard Organics were fantastic
as they showcased an amazing talent for writing material within
their chosen genre. An interesting point of note throughout the
night was that the band appeared to begin a lot of their songs using
manuscripts but veered into the territory of impromptu jams thereafter
the mark of real musicians. Many of the worlds most
revered trained musicians cannot play a note on their
instruments without having manuscripts in front of them a
trait which could arguably described as musical mathematics completely
devoid of passion and emotion.
That could not be said of Organics who instilled sincerity into
every note they performed on the night.
This was a great nights entertainment and another fine success
for Music for Ross.
Brendan Kean
" What
a trio is about. They swing like nothing on earth"
Peter Crawley - IrishTimes 2004
" Organics music is colourful and joyous and they swing at
every tempo "
Grainne Farren - Sunday Independent 2004
This Dublin organ trio pour their hearts into jazz
Sligo Weekender 2004
Organics feature three of Irelands brightest young
jazz musicians
Ray Comiskey Irish Times 2004
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