To understand This Time , you have to understand where Galapagos Duck came from. Formed in Sydney in 1969, the band didn't just play jazz—they defined the sound of the Australian jazz boom in the 1970s. They were the foundation of The Basement, a club that went on to be known as one of the greatest jazz venues in the world.
The album famously features guest woodwinds player Don Burrows, a massive stalwart in the Australian jazz scene. Galapagos Duck This Time
One minute the band is driving a heavy, contemporary funk-jazz riff, and the next they lurch directly into traditional New Orleans swing, complete with Burrows on clarinet. To understand This Time , you have to
The album is a fascinating time capsule of mid-70s jazz experimentation: The album famously features guest woodwinds player Don
Working as a house band meant they had to please diverse crowds. This forced a relentless versatility that became their defining characteristic. They weren't purists; they were performers who wanted jazz to be accessible to everyone. 💿 Breaking Down This Time (1975)
Recorded with a very loose, live feel and minimal overdubbing, it feels like sitting in the front row of a smokey club.