Phillip Johnston & the Coolerators - Diggin' Bones (October 26, 2018)

Diggin’ Bones, the first CD by Phillip Johnston & the Coolerators features a unique sound which combines funky organ combo jazz with modernist jazz composition. Produced by The Necks’ Lloyd Swanton and featuring some of Australia finest jazz/multi-genre improvisers, this recording shows a new side of Johnston’s music, and recording history which began in 1983 with Take The Z Train by The Microscopic Septet. 

The band brings together two of Australia’s most internationally acclaimed touring musicians, Alister Spence (Alister Spence Trio, Clarion Fracture Zone, AAO) and Lloyd Swanton (The Necks, the catholics) with one of Sydney’s most in-demand rhythm section players, Nic Cecire. The music covers a range of styles but avant organ jazz is at the centre of it. 

Phillip Johnston

Simultaneously embracing the past and the future makes perfect sense when you consider the Johnston’s most recent previous releases include CDs by The Microscopic Septet and Fast ‘N’ Bulbous on Cuneiform Records, which have been widely and exceptionally reviewed (all receiving 4 starts in Downbeat) and resulting many Best of the Year critical listings. 

Both groovy and cerebral, the Coolerators play funky dance music for a cartoon universe.

Phillip Johnston & the Coolerators 

Phillip Johnston: soprano, alto sax 

Alister Spence: organ 

Lloyd Swanton: bass 

Nic Cecire: drums 

All tracks by Phillip Johnston © Jedible Music (BMI) 

except Track 6 by Michael Hurley © Snocko Music (BMI) 

1. Frankly

2. What Is Real?

3. Diggin’ Bones

4. Temporary Blindness

5. Later

6. The Revenant

7. Legs Yet

8. Trial By Error

9. Regrets #17

10. Ducket Got A Whole In It

Produced by Lloyd Swanton

Recorded & mixed at Rancom St Studios by Tim Whitten in Oct/Nov 2017

Assistant Engineer: Antonia Gauci

Mastered at Sound Heaven Studios by Michael Lynch

Art and cover design by Keith LoBue