Dylan
Howe (drums), Mark Hodgson (double bass), Ross Stanley (piano & synths),
Brandon Allen (tenor saxophone), Julian Siegal (tenor saxophone) + Nick Pini
(double bass), Adrian Utley (guitar) & Steve Howe (koto)
(Review by Russell).
Subterranean is drummer Dylan Howe’s take on David Bowie’s Berlin trilogy (Station to Station, Low and Heroes). In the mid seventies the Thin
White Duke relocated from Mars to Berlin
and in so doing ‘reinvented’ himself. The kitsch glam look ditched in favour of
the Armani suit, Mr Jones at a stroke alienated long-time fans who didn’t get
soul. A few years on, Tin Machine was, for some, the final straw.
Howe’s band (plus guests on
several tracks) is comprised of bona fide jazz players and the playing is
exemplary. Is the material of interest to the ‘jazz’ listener? At times it is.
Tracks three and seven should be heard. All
Saints opens with bassist Mark Hodgson, Howe fizzes in top gear, Brandon
Allen solos on Ross Stanley’s swing time feel and the pianist himself flies.
The beginning of Warszawa hints at a
requiem before developing into a Coltrane-like sermon delivered by Julian
Siegal.
Subterranean’s filmic sweep with its ‘ambient’ soundscape (the CD
cover photography – Alexanderplatz station, descending underground escalator,
railway carriages – suggests a travelogue) is certain to appeal to some. Will
Spiders from Mars get it? The jazz listener should take something from it. Dylan Howe’s Subterranean New Designs on Bowie’s Berlin is released on July
7 on Motorik Recordings (MR1004). Howe
tours the CD in September with a different line-up (Ross Stanley tours) and a
specially made film will be projected during the concert.
Russell.
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