Interpretations of the music of John Psathas, featuring:
Chris Mason-Battley (saxophones, EWI)
David Lines (piano)
Sam Giles (bass)
Stephen Thomas (drums, loops)
Dialogos is a revelation. I don’t know what the language is that properly describes what the guys are doing, but they’re somehow creating new works. This isn’t ‘arranging’ or ‘adapting’ – I feel it’s better described as continuing the composing process.
John Psathas, 2015
The band went into rehearsal with the specific intention of using the music of John Psathas as a source of inspiration for improvisation and re-composition. This process involved an element of risk, as we couldn’t predict what the musical outcomes would be, but the challenge of exploring a process that would bring something new into a jazz language form was compelling.
Chris Mason-Battley, 2015
Produced by The Chris Mason-Battley Group and Steve Garden
Engineered by Steve Garden at the Kenneth Myers Centre, University of Auckland
Cover photography by Eudald Rota
Concert photography by Csaba Shepherd
Design by UnkleFranc
Printing by Studio Q
Rattle Records and the Chris Mason-Battley Group are grateful for the support of Creative New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington, Victoria University Press, Auckland University School of Music,
New Zealand School of Music, Auckland Fringe, Radio New Zealand,
John Psathas, Csaba Shepherd, Eudald Rota, Nathan Thomas, Jono Sawyer, and all of our families and friends.