Mysticism for Intellectuals
Artwork Credit - Jace Carleton
"The title is more than a clever phrase; it functions as a thesis statement, signalling music that deliberately straddles cerebral construction and gut-level expression. Mysticism for Intellectuals is a confident, uncompromising debut"
Steve Williams – UK Vibe
"Sweenie soars on this live outing from Alberta Canada’s Yardbird Suite. His music is far-ranging as it goes from a whisper to a scream, post-bop to prog-rock. Sweenie can have a lilting light tone yet can provide enough bluster and weight to satisfy any ear."
Mike Greenblatt – Aquarian Weekly
"Harmonically advanced, the melodies nevertheless remain grounded in groove, or purely atmospheric canvases that never fail to catch the ear... a fantastically good and intelligent contemporary jazz album, tinged with some apathy-killing groovyness"
Frédéric Cardin – PanM360
"Sweenie displays surefire chops at the service of the music, bereft of bravado, but lots of swagger, all projected with great conviction and a full bodied sound."
Marc Chénard – La Scena
"This is a beautiful recording. The compositions are lovely and varied, and everyone plays marvelously. John earned his moniker with a “damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead” approach but on this recording, he reveals a very thoughtful, mature and tender side as well. I salute you Admiral Sweenie!"
Kevin Dean