CD Review: Partikel – String Theory

Duncan Eagles – saxophones; Max Luthert – bass; Eric Ford – drums - with Benet McLean, David LePage – violin; Carmen Flores – viola and Matthew Sharp – cello.

(Review by Hugh)

It is often said that one should not judge a book by its cover – well, in this case a reviewer should not judge a CD by its first 10 seconds!  The first track on String Theory  - Clash of the Clans (Part 1) commences with a burst of scraping horse hair on steel.  This soon gives way to more conventional jazz music with a definite groove. 

Partikel are a London – based trio who have been making a name for themselves on the European scene for the last few years.  String Theory is their third release and differs from the previous two releases, which were the product of preparatory rehearsing and fine tuning of arrangements before recording.  In the words of Duncan Eagles “with this album [String Theory] the charts I wrote for the trio were purposefully more open and melodic than previous material and the arrangements were developed through touring with the band – rather than all the rehearsing – which I think gives the trio performance on this album a more natural and spontaneous dynamic”.

This comes through on the recording.  The first track is one of three parts, followed by Part 2 Seeking Shadows and Part 3 Midnight Mass. 

Eagles wanted the string quartet to be as involved as possible and for the two ensembles to interact and improvise together.  This is borne out in Shimmer, where the two ensembles appear to chase each other.  Introduction to the Buffalo (naturally) precedes The Buffalo – the former is performed  purely by the string quartet, seguing effortlessly into  

the latter where the two ensembles rejoin.  Eric Ford's Tabla adds an exotic feel to this track and several others and strings have an almost gypsy quality at times.  Next we are back on jazz mainstreet with Bartering for Bob.  Shimmering strings introduce The River, with Eagles' soprano soaring over the surface, hovering for a while and then following the flow.  We end up on Wray Common (no, I don't know either – local connection, I presume!).  Matthew Sharp's cello introduces Body and Soul (by Johnny Green) – this is the only track (other than Introduction to the Buffalo) which is not composed by Duncan Eagles.  Cover ups the tempo again with the trio powered along by Ford's driving percussion.  The quartet get a rest on this track.  The opening of The Landing is evocative of the wider  universe (perhaps something to do with the album title?) and the track has a filmic quality with definite plot progression, the listener will make up their own mind as to where it's going.

Partikel's String Theory will be released by Whirlwind Records (catalogue WR4671) on 11 May 2015.  The band are touring from 28^th May with an album launch at Pizza Express on 2 June.  None of the dates listed on the information sheet with the album are north of Bungay as far as I can see.  I guess we will have to wait and see if the band pluck up courage and venture over the border!

Hugh.