(Review by Russell).
Let Spin is a band of busy musicians working in a
variety of contexts, in locations across Europe. When they work together as Let
Spin they bring compositional ideas to the table formed from their collective
performance experiences. Let Go is
their second album. All of the material is informed by the input of all four
band members.
Bassist Ruth Goller wrote the opening track I Like to Sound Like a Rainforest on the
day Charlie Haden died. Goller said: I
have never written anything with such a strong flow. It is Goller’s simple
folk-like line that begins the piece giving way to her and Panter’s high energy
groove, Chris William’s powerful alto playing and guitarist Moss Freed feeding
in a succession of considered chords.
Williams’ Walt’s
Waltz hears the composer’s alto writhing, straining against an insistent
heavy bass and drums groove with guitarist Freed’s sound lost in the turbulence
of it all. Goller’s All Animals are
Beautiful affords Freed the opportunity to be heard, riding over Panter’s
constantly shifting patterns before Williams’ sinuous alto takes it down and
out.
Disa, the first of Berlin-based Panter’s
compositions, features searching alto guided by a snare and cymbals foundation.
William’s own composition Killing Our
Dreams, a down beat affair,
ratchets up the tension, finally dissolving into stillness. Moss Freed’s E.V.A. (Extra Vehicular Activity, i.e. a
space walk) begins quietly, viewing Planet Earth from a perspective which few
humans have ever done. Then, if not in panic, the realisation that something
could go wrong (see Ruth Goller’s CD cover art), invigorates the piece.
Beats and Pieces’ Finlay Panter confesses that Rotation, the album’s penultimate track,
is a tribute to all the rock that I love;
an unusual time signature, the quartet enjoys a rock ‘n’ roll jazz blowout.
Freed’s Rothko’s Field has the effect
that the title may suggest it should have on the listener – standing in front
of a Mark Rothko canvas invites contemplation. A welcome coda to all that has
gone before.
Let Go will be released on October 23 on Efpi Records
(FR023). Let Spin’s British tour begins the following day at the Vortex,
London, continuing to the Jazz Café, Newcastle
27, Edinburgh 28, Glasgow, 29, Lancaster (the Gregson Arts Centre), 30, and
Zeffirelli’s, Ambleside, 30, before finishing up at the Fox and Newt, Leeds, on
November 1.
Russell
1 comment :
tickets available for the Edinburgh show from http://www.rippingrecords.com/tickets.php?id=4591
Post a comment