Reviews

LIVE REVIEWS

Etype… By Request
The Promethean, Sat June 26
The rugged-up, mature-aged crowd queuing outside The Promethean on a chilly Saturday night is testament to the talent and charms of Etype.
There’s nothing like some hot jazz, a glass or two of red and an intimate, velvety venue to ward off the winter chill … and this sold-out Cabaret Fringe show succeeded spectacularly.
Melbourne-based duo The Wizard & Oz warmed up the crowd before spiky-haired cabaret performer Libby O’Donnell took to the stage to introduce the main act – or, I should say, the appetizer, entrée, main course, dessert and coffee. This was Etype by Request, where audience members were given the privilege of choosing the musical selections from a menu board brandished by our hilarious compere.
Selections offered by the Adelaide-based five-piece ranged from their own original compositions to covers of hits ranging from Neil Diamond’s “Play Me” to Style Council’s “Shout to the Top” and the Shirley Bassey hit “Hey, Big Spender”.
Singer Katrina Ryan’s powerful voice soared on the big ballads but was equally at home with the softer and more soulful songs, and it was impossible not to be in awe of the sexy sax sounds coming from the diminutive Beth Lyon. Completing the band are pianist Brenton Foster, drummer Barnabas Smith and double-bass player Mike Haynes, who clearly relished his chance to shine during the “after-coffee” performance of “Fever”.
It’s easy to see why Etype have sold more than 28,000 albums (one of original songs and two of covers) and won a couple of Australian Live Music Awards. Their live performances are polished, engaging and highly entertaining … a five-course feast for the soul.
Suzie Keen; Independent Weekly

Etype… By Request
The Spiegeltent, Sun Feb 14
Walking into the elegance of the Spiegeltent, the crystalline light of late afternoon sun spilling through the stained glass windows, one is immediately transported into relaxed exotic delight. Michel, with his outrageous French accent introduces the chefs (Etype) and the courses for selection displayed on a board, keeping up the banter between songs throughout the show.
Solid drums and fluid bass cook up rhythm, the piano colours and flavours, soaring soul saxophone spices, with rich warm vocals bringing body to this heady aromatic mix of standards, contemporary jazz and blues, originals and covers. With the band obviously enjoying themselves, exuding their love of the music into the audience, it’s impossible not to move and groove with this hot band of music cooks.
Final Word: Sumptuous.
Ian Newton, RipItUp Magazine

Eytpe featuring Joe Chindamo
JIM MACK 11/05/2009

Having thoroughly enjoyed Etype’s cabaret show last year and their latest album, the self titled Etype, I strolled through the Central Market to the Promethean for a night out with some friends to see this fabulous Adelaide band. It was an early start so I ignored the scent of dumplings and noodles and settled for a glass of red at this intimate venue.
Opening the evening was special guest world renowned jazz pianist Joe Chindamo. Chindamo, born in Melbourne, has performed extensively around the world and played with with jazz greats such as Tony Bennett and James Morrison.
The knowledgeable audience showed their appreciation with stunning versions of classics such as “Secret Love”, “Smile”, Simon and Garfunckel’s “America” and even “Raindrops” from the Sound of Music.
I thought the highlight was his own composition “Something come to light” from his album Romantic Project. He was joined for most of his songs by Etype band members Barnabas Smith on drums and Mike Haynes on bass whose considerable talents were drawn out by Chindamo’s brilliant piano.
Still I looked forward to the bigger sound of the full band. Etype’s lead vocalist Katrina Ryan, Beth Lyon on sax and Brenton Foster on piano joined Smith and Haynes for a more intimate performance befitting the venue.
Stripped down versions of “Half the Man” and “Square Peg” featured Ryan’s smooth pure vocals and Haynes on acoustic guitar. Chindamo joined the band for several numbers with the highlight a beautiful moody version of “Georgia”.
Etype shifted gears with a full rich sound in songs such as “Phoney” and “If you were me”.
Beth Lyon’s soulful sax and strong stage presence (the girls loved her toned arms) is a driving force for this great band.
Having had our fill of great music and a few reds we headed off across the road to explore the late night culinary possibilities around the Market. Adelaide can be a pretty cool place.

Read online

CD - etype

2008 Independent Weekly; Jim Mack

Etype (formerly Etype Jazz) have produced a worthy comtemporary pop/jazz album. A departure from the jazz covers that built Etype a strong following, this self-titled album is a collection of original songs – a virtual soundtrack of their recent sell-out cabaret shows at the Adelaide Fringe this year.
The rich and dark opening track, 'Phoney’, and the first single, ‘Square Peg’, set an intimate mood and feature Beth Lyons soulful jazz saxophone. ‘Good Enough’ is glorious 60s pop that would sit well on a Dusty Springfield greatest hits album. More traditional jazz numbers ,’If You were Me’ and ‘That Smile’, are contrasted with melancholic moody pieces ‘Comfort and Pain’ and ‘On my own’. ‘Half the Man’ is a delightful quirky finish that leaves you wanting more.

Lyrically, the album is adult, intelligent and evokes true emotion. The songs are based on the joys and pain of love and loss. At times the lines lose the poetry needed for this type of album “you only get one chance not two or three”. But there are gems such as “you better hurry up and slow down” and “he’s half the man you’ll never be, more than twice as good as two of you” reminding us it’s always better to be the next guy.

Katrina Ryan’s rich emotive vocals dominate. There is a live, understated sound and feel to the band that creates a connection with the listener. This album should find a deserved spot in the dinner party stack of CDs. Well worth a listen for old and maybe new fans of Etype.

Jazzscene – Ron Spain

This album of original material by the re-named Etype is a new direction for the South Australian group that was most recently seen at the Adelaide Fringe and Cabaret Festivals, also featured at New York's Lincoln Centre and Birdland.   Recorded and mixed in Melbourne by Paul Wiltshire then mastered by Tom Coyne in New York, the CD contains 12 songs that express the many moods of the writers and are given the unique sound that has developed over 15 years through the various incarnations of the group.   Because the lyrics are so integral to the band's persona they are printed in the sleeve notes, which provides the listener with the opportunity to identify with the theme as well as enjoy the melody.

In an interview, Beth Lyon (saxophone) explains that two of the songs were written as a tribute to the band's late and deeply missed keyboard player, composer and arranger, Ritsuko, who played a large part in preparing the band for this new direction.   The measure of a great pop song is how well it can be translated into the style of other artists, notwithstanding the personal imprint that Katrina puts on everything she sings.   Several of these songs can be taken up by other artists and probably will be in due course.   Several of the songs can be slotted into market segments such as the Tamia-Motown inspired beat of Why , which will surely make the Hit Parade ; Good Enough will be the next teenage anthem; and That Smile will be on the ABC radio play-list!   The range of selections never loses the jazz imprint, e.g. Hurry that is forever Etype (one hopes), nor the totally professional musicianship and the sheer joy of the upbeat songs.   Arrangements are first class with the brass and/or strings fitted in where they matter and the range of emotions from Beths' alto saxophone complementary to the whole.   This CD is unreservedly recommended to old and new fans alike and it rewards frequent plays.

The Scene – Nicole Rushbrook

Etype is the latest CD from the newly branded five piece jazz ensemble of the same name.   Etype have been known and loved for their contemporary jazz for the past 15 years, and their skill and passion shines through on their CD.   The album provides easy listening, with songs that would provide a perfect backdrop to a romantic evening such as “ I've Made Up My Mind” and others that make you want to learn to swing dance!   Etype will be appreciated by jazz lovers everywhere and may even covert a few people.

SOCO CARGO CLUB; 2008 Adelaide Fringe Festival

29 March 2008 Independent Weekly; Melissa Mack

In the red evening glow of the SoCo Cargo club Etypejazz played their first show back in their hometown Adelaide to a sell-out crowd. It was easy to see why. Playing mostly new songs from their upcoming album, the band opened with the upbeat songs "Phoney" and "Let the good times roll", getting the audience into the mood. Lead singer Katrina Ryan captured the audience with her smooth voice and warm smile, while the highlight of the show was "Half the man", a mellow song written by double bass player Mike Haynes. Ryan and saxophonist Beth Lyon engaged the audience with tales of their recent travels, which clearly influenced their music and style with a sexy New York feel. Pianist Matthew Carey on the keyboard and charismatic Barnabas Smith on the drums complete the five-piece band. Etypejazz has incredible stage presence with their incredible talent displayed through solos. Already critically acclaimed, Eytpejazz will continue to win over audiences. Watch out for their new album or see them at SoCo Cargo until March 9.

HOHO VOL TWO

"...Ho Ho Volume Two', a collection of twelve classic Christmas tunes given a cool swing and groove emphasis, and a follow up to 'Ho Ho', I can state that all of the material chosen was admirable and none of the execution was questionable. That said, given the plethora of Christmas releases that come out each Yuletide, competing with the previous seasons' releases, it takes a different approach to cut through what is some pretty crappy stuff in the C or X section of your local music store. etypejazz have done that with orchestration that is not all choirs, organs and thundering crescendos, but with brush drums, laid-back sax, grooving double bass and well executed piano. Stand-outs include a sexy and sassy Santa Baby, a swinging Jingle Bell Rock and a funky syncopated Little Drummer Boy with what sounds like Arab pipes, while O Little Town Of Bethlehem is given a great lounge treatment. Katrina Ryan tackles band favourite O Holy Night and carries off this standard admirably. This disc received high rotation on December 25 at Chez Liebelt in the company of what is still an outstanding Christmas album - Phil Spector's 'A Christmas Gift For You'. You might have missed 'Ho Ho Volume Two' for playing in 2006, but if you've got any money left, now is a good time to get in early for Christmas 2007. Very enjoyable indeed."
Mark Liebelt; Db Magazine Jan 2006

HOHO VOL TWO

"This album of 12 Christmas songs could be up there with the best of them all (Phil Spector's Christmas Album from 1963). Its just chock full of the sheer joy that is the Festive Season, with elements of praise combined with snowbells, gifts under the tree and happy children. Santa Baby has echoes of Eartha Kitt, while Oh,Holy Night is pure Katrina with a glorious arrangement by Ritsuko. A touch of Sergio Mendez on Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, followed by Away in a Manger with an entriely fitting backing that includes Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Cellist; Chris Handley. Damien does a funky arrangement that adds a new dimension to the inherent pathos of Little Drummer Boy, with Ritsuko adding the right Hammond B3 effect before the song moves into the Casbah. Mike pushes We Three Kings along as it collects momentum into a fenetic finale that will have the audience on their feet in live performances. Throughout all of these songs, Beth adds touches of elegance behind the vocals and injects some great jazz solos; Damien is supreme on the cymbals; Ritsuko swings mightily; Mike is by turns subtle and strong; and Katrina treats the lyrics with respect. Ok, I like this band; so will you. Oh, com all ye faithful.....and buy the CD."
Ron Spain; JazzScene December 2006

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Like the exciting 1960s E-type Jaguar sports car, South Australian jazz quintet etypejazz accelerates through the tracks of its latest CD, Under the Influence, with flair, charisma and soul. In this seventh CD, recorded with new vocalist Katrina Ryan, the band has gone to another level of sophistication. Ryan has one of those warm, sexy voices that glides and purrs through material as diverse as Do You Want to Know a Secret, I've Got You Under My Skin and Wives and Lovers.
Motivating this fine vocalist is interplay with the four instrumentalists - Beth Lyon on Saxophone, Ritsuko on piano, Mike Haynes on bass and Damien Eldridge on drums - who have written their own arrangements of these favourites by songwriters from Cole Porter and Burt Bacharach to the Beatles.
Anne Lim, The Weekend Australian; May 2005