CD Review: Flying Machines.

Alex Munk (gtr); Matt Robinson (pno/keys); Conor Chaplin (el. bs.); Dave Hamblett (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Faultless musicianship? - without doubt! These guys really do create the image that they and their 'machines' are flying. Which, given that Munk's father, Roger Munk, was a renowned expert and world leader in the field of lighter than air technology, is no less than we would expect.

Centred on Munk's unique compositional approach, Flying Machines fuse visceral improvisation with anthemic melodies and lusciously textured soundscapes.

It's a sound shot, I'm told, of the 'here and now' of London's cutting-edge music scene, a decadent mash up of prog rock energy, free-wheeling improvisations and ambient meditations that never detract from the emotive lyricism at the music's core.

Well, who am I to argue with that? Although I might if I knew what it meant!.

Munk, is a fine guitarist and he shows a lyrical approach that, I suppose, encompasses the above elements without hurting anyone and, seeing as they are all his compositions, he does them justice - after all, you don't invent a game to get beat at it.

It's one of those discs that repeated listening brings out previously missed nuances; the unusual twist in the solo, the bass and drum interaction, the keyboard moments.

The blurb suggests a nod in the direction of Metheny and Mike Walker and you can hear it.

The CD is launched at The Vortex on October 14 and they play the Green Note as part of the EFG London Jazz Festival.

Next year they tour reaching Newcastle on February 28 for a JNE gig although this gig doesn't appear on the JNE or the FM website so maybe some clarification is required?

A word of warning - unless you have 20-20 vision the album notes are nearly unreadable and I hope prospective buyers don't judge a CD by its cover.

So what's new?
Lance.