The Partikel Quartet @ The Jazz Café April 26

Duncan Eagles (saxophone); Max Luthert (bass); Eric Ford (drums); Benet McLean (violin)

(Review by Steve H/Photo courtesy of Ken Drew)

Five minutes before the gig had started the band outnumbered the audience by a factor of 2 to 1. Fortunately, by the end of a very entertaining evening, the numbers had swelled to, whilst not quite a capacity crowd, it was, nevertheless, a respectable sized one. 

Originally a trio, Partikel made their last album String Theory with a string quartet. When taking this album on the road they decided it wasn’t going to be economically viable to lug the entire quartet around the country.  A simple solution was found by adding the string quartet’s violinist Benet Mclean to the lineup for the current tour. This addition proved such as success that completely new compositions  evolved out of the new format and much of what was played on Tuesday night  featured the new works. These new pieces will form the basis of the band’s shortly to be recorded new album.   Judging from this live performance it should be well worth waiting for.  As a single unit, the band really gel. Formidable drumming from Ford and strident bass from Luthert really set up the scene . The individual solo’s from Eagles and Mclean were great but it was when the entire band played as an ensemble that thing really got things going. Both Eagles and Mclean incorporate electronics with their instruments and the interplay and sounds created between sax and violin were exotic, exciting and exhilarating. Most of the music was played at a kick-ass pace but there were several slower passages throughout the evening to keep the interest at peak levels. At the end of 2 very enjoyable sets the ever so distinguished audience asked for and were subsequently given an encore by this very talented and affable band.

Steve H.