Austin Jenkins
Packer EP
Punk Jazz Records / 2018
Right up front I have to say that I love every aspect of this
cassette release. All you’re going to read in this review are gushing words
expressing how wonderful & enjoyable this homemade cassette release by
Austin Jenkins is.
The Packer EP included a handwritten note which is much
appreciated – we here in the cassette culture are a small, homegrown crew who
thrive on communication and sharing music. The tape itself is enclosed in canvas,
hand painted, and closed with a sewn-on button. The Packer EP was dubbed onto a
used cassette of Alexander Scourby reading the book of Leviticus. Ten out of
ten points from ye olde DJ – not only for style but because Leviticus happens
to be one of my five favorite books of Scripture. And ... the tapes were bought
from a thrift shop!
The music itself is inventive, lo-fi jazz featuring guitar,
drums, bass & sax. There are six brief pieces on the EP featuring Austin playing
all of the instruments and vocals. Then, the listener is treated to Punk Jazz
Radio featuring extended jazz pieces by various bands (how can anyone resist
Joy Spring by the First Punk Jazz Quartet?). The radio show sounds almost
exactly how I started out in radio as a young teenager – recording my own shows
on an inexpensive portable cassette recorder, using only a cheap mic, placing
the mic next to my record player’s speakers to record the songs. There are even
unexpected goodies on Side B. How cool is that?
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