Trio HLK, Anthropometricks, Ubuntu ***1/2

One for the percussion heads among us - Trio HLK is a classical-jazz crossover listen stylistically heavily informed by jazz-rock and Indian classical music, the adventurous ''H'' as in Wandering Monster pianist Rich Harrold; ''L'' as in guitarist

Published: 18 Mar 2024. Updated: 39 days.

HLK

One for the percussion heads among us - Trio HLK is a classical-jazz crossover listen stylistically heavily informed by jazz-rock and Indian classical music, the adventurous ''H'' as in Wandering Monster pianist Rich Harrold; ''L'' as in guitarist Ant Law; and ''K'' as in drummer/percussionist Rich Kass - who have collaborated extensively with Dame Evelyn Glennie and who continue their collaborative work together here. New in the mix are guesting classical cellist Natalie Clein and Bangalore born singer and flautist Varijashree Venugopal. Touching overtly on jazz heavily along the way most notably in the opening riff on 'Concertinas (for Bill),' Anthropometricks has a ferocious momentum to it often driven at a dizzying pelt particularly when Law becomes more prominent. The two part 'Apostrophe' suite fixes in on firstly bells and secondly syncopated piano responding textures that go some way to provide some kind of balm, not that as listeners we are at all soft soaped. Law on 'Flanagan's Lament' is thrashily compelling as is the sheer elasticity that the ensemble develops throughout.

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The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis, The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis, Impulse ****

Avant rock band The Messthetics include former Fugazi members bass guitarist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty - prog inclined jazz rooted guitarist Anthony Pirog is also in the band. You'll hear the titanic saxophone playing of James Brandon …

Published: 18 Mar 2024. Updated: 40 days.

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Avant rock band The Messthetics include former Fugazi members bass guitarist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty - prog inclined jazz rooted guitarist Anthony Pirog is also in the band. You'll hear the titanic saxophone playing of James Brandon Lewis (JBL) in a completely different context here but fear not there is extensive soloing from him and the chunky riff-groove alchemy is very satisfying - JBL letting go massively on 'The Time Is The Place' amid shrieking guitar and more shreddies found than in your average cereal packet. Serially satisying from tracks 1 to 9 JBL is on so many agenda setting albums at the moment choosing a few is hard. But opt dear reader for this to be particularly shrewd.

The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis, photo: cover art details