JAKE MASON TRIO-THE MODERN ARK.
Jake Mason Trio-The Modern Ark.
Label: Soul Messin’ Records.
Format: CD.
Eight years ago, in 2018, the Jake Mason Trio released their debut album critically acclaimed ‘The Stranger In The Mirror.’ It was nominated for an ARIA nomination for Best Jazz Album.
By then, the Jake Mason Trio which features three of Australia’s most talented and respected instrumentalists was winning praise and plaudits as far afield as the USA and Germany. This soul-jazz trio had a great future ahead of them. Surely, it was only a matter of time before their sophomore album was released?
Alas no. A year pass and then two. Three became four. Post-pandemic there was still no sign of the Jake Mason Trio’s sophomore album. Where was the talented trio who are regarded as Australia’s premier soul-jazz group?
Bandleader, composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Jason Mason had been busy. He runs the label he cofounded, Soul Messin’ Records and has established a production house. Mason has released twelve solo albums and has been busy with other projects. This included funk, soul, boogaloo and jazz organ trio Cookin’ On 3 Burners. They released ‘Cookin’ The Books’ in 2025, which was one of the Melbourne-based combo’s best albums.
However, the success of the Jake Mason Trio isn’t just down to the bandleader. Guitarist James Sherlock is a previous winner of the Ike Isaacs International Jazz Guitar Award. He’s released six albums, and has toured with Paul Grabowsky, Kristin Berardi, Sheila Jordan, Cyrille Aimee and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
The third and final member of the Trio is drummer Danny Fischer who provides the groove and heartbeat. He’s recorded and performed with the likes of the legendary Gary Bartz, Mark Murphy and Vince Jones. Vastly experienced and hugely talented he also brings to the soul-jazz combo the ability to improvise. Fischer plays his part in this truly talented trio as they returned to the studio in 2025.
Recording of ‘The Modern Ark’ took place in Melbourne. Ten tracks were recorded. Mason wrote ‘The Last Piece,’ ‘Green Pick,’ ‘Sharks In The Paddock,’ ‘Virgin River,’ ‘Boogaloo Popcorn,’ ‘Danny’s Blues’ and ‘Beyond Kavik.’ ‘Here’s Your Change’ was written by the Trio, while ‘The Modern Ark’ and ‘Stop Searching For Love’ were written by Mason and Eric McCusker.
The sessions resulted in modern take on the classic organ-groove. However, listen carefully and the Trio reference Jimmy Smith and Brother Jack McDuff’s Blue Note era albums. There’s much more to ‘The Modern Ark’ than this though.
‘The Modern Ark’ is an ambitions album where the Jake Mason Trio fuse sixties soul-jazz with a social conscience. On the album, the focus is mostly about the environment. This is something that Australians care deeply about.
It’s important to mention Mason’s production style. It sounds as if it’s been inspired by Rudy Van Gelder era of Blue Note recordings.
Stylistically there’s also diversions via hard bop and cinematic jazz on the Trio’s much-anticipated sophomore album, ‘The Modern Ark.’
Eight of the tracks are instrumentals. ‘The Last Piece’ opens the album, and breezes along referencing classic sixties soul-jazz. It’s a similar case on ‘Boogaloo Popcorn.’ It starts slow and slinky but breezes along with Sherlock’s guitar playing a starring role. On both tracks it’s like being transported back in time to a late night jazz club in New York.
‘Virgin River,’ ‘Beyond Kavik’ and ‘Here’s Your Change’ reference unspoiled and undeveloped landscapes, the extremes of climate in the modern world and the chance and possibility to start again.
It’s all change on ‘Sharks In The Paddock’ and ‘Danny’s Blues.’ On both tracks the Trio combine hard-bop with what’s best describe as a modern harmonic take.
On the two other tracks there’s appearances by guest vocalists. The first guest vocalist is Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling. On ‘The Modern Ark’ he visualises people worldwide queueing for a mythical vessel to escape the damage it has done. There’s a twist in the tale though, and that salvation must happen here on earth. Sadly, that means for Brits there’s no escaping the decimation and devastation caused by Two Tier Kier and his cohorts.
‘Stop Searching for Love’ features iconic Australian singer Kate Ceberano. She takes centerstage on this beautiful ballad that’s sounds as if it’s from another musical era. Ceberano about trying to find peace, love and friendship where you are in life. Her vocal is tender, heartfelt and full of emotion. The result is, without doubt the highlight of ‘The Modern Ark.’
It’s been well worth the eight year waitron and is, without doubt, better than the Jake Mason Trio critically acclaimed debut album ‘The Stranger In The Mirror.’ The Trio take as a starting point soul-jazz and add hard bop, cinematic jazz as well as elements of blues and funk. This truly talented Trio can seamlessly switch between genres and influences on an album that’s all killer and no filler.
The trio are joined by guest artists Kurt Elling and Kate Ceberano who play their part in the sound and success of ‘The Modern Ark.’ It’s an album that successfully combines sixties soul-jazz with a social conscience.
‘The Modern Ark’ was produced, recorded and mixed in Melbourne bandleader Mason and released on the label he cofounded Soul Messin’ Records. The perfect companion to ‘The Modern Ark’ is Cookin’ On 3 Burners’ 2025 album ‘Cookin’ The Books.’ It’s the perfect companion to ‘The Modern Ark,’ which shows just why the Jake Mason Trio are regarded as Australia’s premier soul-jazz combo.
Jake Mason Trio-The Modern Ark.
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