on-ly: burn
Francisco Espregueira
Australian pianist and producer Joshua Smeltink has spent three years crafting his second full-length band project. Operating under his celebrated moniker On-Ly, he is now delivering a massive independent release titled BURN. This volatile collection of fusion music stems from a whirlwind of rotating line-ups, live recordings, and studio sessions. Unlike most modern fusion, this album treats the grand piano as a fiery, reactive engine. It never simply sits in the background. Instead, it drives an entire ecosystem of shifting rhythms and dense interplay. The ensemble constantly breathes, expanding into colossal arrangements and contracting into tightly coiled grooves. Heavy improvisation electrifies every moment. It is a wildly dynamic journey that perfectly blends acoustic romanticism with electric jazz lineage.
The sonic landscape on BURN covers some serious ground. Tracks like "Gabbro" nod to the gritty acid-blues and funk-fusion of the 1970s. Meanwhile, "Recondite" pushes things into intense, punk-leaning territory. Tracks move from funk-heavy workouts and ambient passages to explosive improvisation, while live recordings add an extra layer of spontaneity. To achieve this huge sound, Smeltink enlisted an incredible cast of collaborators from the Melbourne underground. Daniel Waddingham brings an expansive electric guitar style. Multiple bassists—including Ash De Neef, Sam Watts, and Henry Hicks—reshape the band's gravity. Rhythmic stability comes from drummers Bryce Zelno and Miles Henry. Adding another layer of depth, Phil Stroud introduces rare Afro-Arab folkloric instruments like the udu and doumbek. Finally, intermittent Rhodes passages and rare synthesizers bring the entire record into a mystical focus. It ultimately channels the classic energy of vintage Columbia Records and CTI Records crossovers, yet remains undeniably rooted in modern production aesthetics. Huge record - available on Bandcamp.