Tom Challenger (ten); George Fogel (pno); Tom Farmer (bs); Jon Scott (dms).
(Review by Lance)
The name, Dice Factory, was chosen as a result of a fascination with author Luke Reinhardt's cult classic novel The Dice Man where decisions made by dice rolling determine structural events which are then lived through for periods of time.
Indeed there are moments when the music on this CD seems to have been determined by the rolling of musical dice whereby each player throws a different number. These periods of chaotic madness are, nevertheless, not without a perverse appeal and usually interspersed with spells of rare beauty where themes are explored and delivered with tenderness - maybe they threw a simultaneous 7 or 11 on these occasions.
Pianist Fogel has discovered some chords that Monk and Cecil Taylor missed as well as some they didn't.
Challenger's tenor on the appropriately titled You're Lucky is well within the bounds of jazz respectability with pianist and tenor integrating effectively. Challenger, I guess, achieves that much sort after goal of combining lyricism with aggression without offending the sensitive ear.
It may lean towards The Outside but the overall feel is of Structured Anarchy - let's protest but don't smash any windows.
Pipes is almost a lullaby that gradually develops into a beautiful pastoral dream. Jon Scott propels T.N.G with his powerful drumming before a compelling theme evolves and Fogel builds it with a repetitive rhythm behind Challenger's long drawn out notes. There is going to be an explosion but no, it gently disappears.
It took me a few listens to get into this disc and whilst it is outside my general comfort zone I found it ok.
As regards the musicianship - The Dice Factory are no crap shooters!
Lance.
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