finn rees: dawn is a melody
Francisco Espregueira
Finn Rees makes a compelling entrance with his debut album, Dawn Is A Melody, under the esteemed Mr Bongo label. This album encapsulates the vibrant and eclectic Melbourne jazz scene, showcasing Rees as an adept bandleader, composer, and musician (usually on keys). The record, a masterful blend of vintage warmth and contemporary creativity, features lush, saturated soundscapes that feel both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Rees, known for his work with 30/70 and Elle Shimada, along with his role in Close Counters, embarks on a new journey here, placing the piano and intricate arrangements at the forefront. With contributions from some of Melbourne’s finest talents, Dawn Is A Melody effortlessly traverses through rich emotional terrains and varied sonic textures.
Recorded at Rolling Stock in Collingwood with Henry Jenkins at the helm of recording and mixing, the album exudes a live, intimate warmth. The opening tracks, "Looking Up" and "Lagoon," express optimism with celestial melodies and spiritual exuberance. As the album progresses, cinematic and soulful pieces like "It's Behind Me Now" and the Brazilian-influenced "Expansion" pave the way to the divine transition signaled by "Crossing." The latter part of the album turns more personal with tracks like "Ablaze," "Between Spaces," and "As It Passes," where the arrangements blissfully strip down to piano and strings. Featuring an impressive line-up including Cheryl Durongpitikul on tenor sax, Siwei Wong on harp, and Allysha Joy on vocals, Rees’ debut is a tribute to jazz greats like Alice Coltrane and Herbie Hancock while carving out a distinct sound that firmly belongs to the present. Available on vinyl.
“The emotion behind the music is really about the journey of life, growing up and changing, as well as my relationship with Tasmania’s natural landscapes where I grew up, a part of the world that is incredibly unique and beautiful.”