“Firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, yet with an openness, to exploring fresh sounds, saxophonist Roger Manins is becoming increasingly recognised as an outstandingly gifted musician. His warmly passionate sounds, remarkable instrumental ability and total musical integrity guarantee a memorable listening experience.”

Mike Nock

 

This album is a fistful of sexy, earthy, funky, blues grooves.  With total mastery of his instrument, Manins cuts raw energy as he bulldozes, soars, honks and cascades through a blissful set of original tunes.

Hip Flask - features one of Australia's best rhythm sections with Stuart Hunter (Hammond organ), Adam Ponting (piano), Brendon Clarke (acoustic and electric bass) and Toby hall (drums), as well, of course, Roger's tenor saxophone plus bass clarinet.  One of Roger's New Zealand band, Hip Flask, consists of heavyweights Grant Winterburn (Hammond organ), Lance S'ua (guitar) and Ron Samson (drums).   

Roger says "I have always been aware that a lot of jazz music doesn't go down too well with the next door neighbour.  With Hip Flask I have written some real simple tunes, but got some real complicated musicians to play them.  The focus of the music is the groove, and the blues, and I have endeavoured with this recording to create some music that both the Jazz lover, and the next door neighbour will enjoy".  

"There is often an interesting correlation between the physicality of a musician and their sound and style. Roger Manins is a burly New Zealander who makes a big, bold sound on a tenor saxophone, and who smears thick, bright paint on his musical canvases. This recording was actually made back in 2001, when Manins was based in Sydney, and has the unusual instrumentation of Hammond organ (Stu Hunter), piano (Adam Ponting) bass (Brendan Clarke) and drums (Toby Hall). The twin keyboards make for a swirling, highly interactive backdrop for the groovy, bluesy originals, over which Manins surges and cruises by turns."

John Shand, ABC Limelight Magazine, Sydney