With only three more nights to go until the big final show, the third round of ARIA ‘genre’ Awards were handed out last night, with three new trophies awarded to the winners in categories Best Jazz Album, Best Dance Release, and Best Urban Album.
During a ceremony at the Royal Botanic Gardens, acclaimed trumpeter James Morrison was rewarded for his teaming up with world-class a cappella ensemble the Idea Of North, with their album Feels Like Spring taking out the Best Jazz category. Featuring four vocalists – soprano, alto, tenor and bass – the Idea of North made the perfect accompaniment to the 47-year-old multi-instrumentalist, who takes home his very first ARIA after an established career.
In a hotly contested category, duo Yolanda B Cool (known to their families as Sylvester Martinez-Alvarez and Johnson Peterson) saw their club hit “We No Speak Americano” – recorded with producer DCUP (Duncan MacLennan) – take out the ARIA for Best Dance Release. Named after a scene in the film Pulp Fiction, the track has huge success in Australia and worldwide, hitting dancefloors across the globe.
Lastly, Gold Coast hip-hop maestro M-Phazes scored his own ARIA for Best Urban Release for his killer LP Good Gracious. Having helped create beats for everyone from Bliss N Eso to Illy to Spit Syndicate and beyond, Phazes (aka Mark Landon) was a worthy recipient of his very first ARIA.
Today will see the announcement of four more gongs: Best Country Album, Best Comedy Release, Best Contemporary Album and Best Classical Album. The 2010 ARIA Awards will be screened on Network Ten from 8.30pm on Sunday 7 November.
