Recycling Man

I grew up near the edge of an old growth rainforest national park in mid north east Australia. As a child the trees seemed like ancient green giants towering over the land, bound by vines and lichen. The rocky cragged mountain ranges in the distance were said to have been an old man giant who had laid down and become the mountains, the shape of the horizon today resembles the silhouette of a bearded old man laying down.

"Among other things, jazz is the art of building and releasing tension, and Neilson's band gives a lesson in this on their CD, belying the members' age and experience. There is no sense of treading water or fishing for ideas as the improvising races from one action-packed episode to another leaving pools of suspense between. The drama suggests near desperation to vent ideas and energy..."

-John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald 12th April 2002

"In the best traditions of its chosen style, the collective performance is where the fun really is. The talk is articulate and robust, in musical conversations between band members that are every bit as important to the action as the featured solos. Having acknowledged this though, Neilson's musical ideas are so mature and executed that he really sparkles throughout this recording."

- Andy Sugg, Music Forum, April/May 2002

"This Sydney tenor saxophonist has crafted an album of high artistry that requires-and rewards- close and frequent listening. Although firmly in the post-bop mould, Neilson and his excellent cohorts rise above their influences with a powerful display of group playing..."

- Kenny Weir, Sunday Herald Sun, July 14, 2002. Melbourne