World According to James - Lingua Franca

   Compositions pour out of Andrew Robson like water from a spring, with The World According to James here presenting an all- Robson program dedicated to Jackie Orszaczky. It could almost be
a suite in the tradition of Don Cherry's 1960s masterpieces, so strong is the through-line of moody feels and wry melodies.
   Any danger of that making the album monotoned, however, is negated by the improvising's leaping vibrancy. As well as daubing the music in huge splashes of trombone, leader James Greening
makes extensive use of all the elfin and melancholy possibilities of his glorious pocket trumpet.
   You could be forgiven for thinking Robson's alto saxophone is double tracked on "Tropic of Capricorn", so expansive and multi- dimensional is the sound that erupts into a gripping solo. Toby
Hall hits upon a magical, popping feel on the opening "Keep No Secrets, Tell No Lies", and bassist Steve Elphick is the rock over which the lava flows, while producing a monumental solo on
"Capricorn". They launch it at the Seymour Centre, October 10.

John Shand    Sydney Morning Herald  September 2009

WATJ have been together for over a decade and features four of Australia’s finest improvising musicians with trombonist James Greening, alto saxophonist Andrew Robson, bassist Steve Elphick and drummer Toby Hall.

This new album, titled Lingua Franca, (a language adopted between speakers whose native languages are different), is a reference to the four musicians’ individual sounds and musical conceptions yet they are able to find such rich common ground in this ensemble. Lingua Franca is also unique in that it features the band performing an entire program of material composed by the group’s saxophonist Andrew Robson.

There is a rich tradition of partnerships and collaborations in music, two minds contributing ideas so that the whole can be greater than the sum of the parts. The Musical relationship of James Greening and Andrew Robson is most certainly one of these. It has been producing wonderful results ever since they first played together in the bands of Jackie Orszaczky, and Jackie seems to have instilled in both James and Andrew his inimitable approach to musical structure and freedom.

This is the third release from The World According to James, with the first two albums No Job too Small and Way Back receiving rave reviews both in Australia and overseas.

In fact so much so the group performed at the legendary Berlin Jazz Festival on the strength of their work. Along with the Sandy Evans Trio and the Andrew Robson Trio, they are the only Australian groups to do so.

Like a travelogue, Lingua Franca, is a new musical journey by four wonderful musicians. Sometimes, the result is a robust and heartfelt discussion while at others, like four old friends reminiscing. Travel with the World according to James on this brand new release Lingua Franca.