Kit
Downes (Hammond, synthesizers), Chris Montague (guitar, loops) & Josh
Blackmore (drums)
(Review by Russell).
Ornithophobia is Troyka’s third studio album and their first for
Naim. Petter Eldh, producer and musician (bassist with Marius Neset), is on
board, reaffirming recent investigation of the dance/ trip-hop scene. Eldh’s Berlin base – influential
in dance, electronica, visual arts – contributes to the trio’s ambitious reach;
part mixed in the capital city, re-sampling two of the nine tracks.
Guitarist Chris Montague has a
Hitchcockian phobia…birds! In an avian-free studio Gateahead-born Montague
creates an avian mutant virus threatening to wipe-out the human population
across
Magpies, Bamburgh and Seahouses (all composed by the
ornithophobic one) must be therapy of
sorts. The northeasterner knows all too well the proliferation of feathered
friends on the Northumberland (Hitchcockian) coastline. Face your demons Chris!
A traditional al fresco meal (fish and chips) will bring you closer than ever
before to the subject of your irrational fear! Kit Downes’ The General references the blues…hear it Chris/Jimi (…And the Wind Cries). The closing number
– Seahouses – takes it down, perhaps
Montague has conquered his Ornithophobia.
Troyka head out on a twelve date
tour in February calling at three music colleges and a students’ union along
the way, perhaps indicating their target audience. Their music has wider
appeal. Hearing Troyka live is key. Ornithophobia is released on January
26 on Naim Jazz Records (NaimCD210).
It is available on CD, LP (180gm vinyl) and as a digital download. Visit www.naimlabel.com.
Russell.
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