Darren Heinrich, Libor Šmoldas & Jesse Simpson - Riddle Diddle: The Prague Sessions (2025) [Hi-Res]

This set of 11 energetic original compositions for organ trio is Darren Heinrich’s fourth album as a leader. Recorded at the world-class Sono studios just outside Prague in the Czech Republic and mastered by Bob Katz, this album has an expansive yet intimate sound that highlights the interplay of the trio and the maturity of the musicians. Darren’s modern tunes provide plenty of space for dialogue with local guitarist Libor Šmoldas and ex-pat American drummer Jesse Simpson.

Eschewing well-worn chitlin-circuit stylings in favour of a more modern, nuanced approach, the original tunes here are diverse in nature. Standouts include the modal title-track Riddle Diddle, the two bright waltzes of Duplicity and Wherever You Go, and Bowen’s Lament - a ballad dedicated to an Aboriginal police tracker. Further dedications include the up-tempo Blues for Bobby Pierce and What the Doctor Ordered, the latter being a contrafact of Dr Lonnie Smith’s Too Damn Hot. Bebop prevails on the burning rhythm-changes of Bluebottles and when this band turn its hand to funk, it is via the cheeky Barrenjoey Boogaloo.

Darren Heinrich is an award-winning Australian jazz organist from Sydney who holds the world’s first PhD in Jazz Organ Improvisation. A former student of Dr Lonnie Smith and Tony Monaco, he lectures at Sydney Conservatorium of Music.