Rory Ingham (trombone); Dominic Ingham (violin,
vocals); Tony Comeau (piano, Fender Rhodes, synths); John Lee (bass, vocals,
piano, synths); Jonny Mansfield (drums, vibraphone, percussion, synths)
(Review
by Hugh C)
Bonsai*
(formerly Jam Experiment) are a London based band formed in 2014. Comeau, Lee, Mansfield and the Ingham
brothers operate in a collective manner, with no designated leader. The music on the CD is composed by Dominic
Ingham, Joe Lee and Jonny Mansfield. Bonsai
Club offers just over 37 minutes of high octane music – so I’m not sure if
it counts as a compact CD or and extended EP. According to Rory Ingham “Bonsai Club is
about the joy of returning to a place where you feel content; no matter how
much it transforms, it always feels like home”.
The
title track Bonsai Club introduces would-be members to what is to come –
hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
Mansfield’s fast, repetitive drumming sets the pace on the majority of
tracks and (in the words of the press release) “a plethora of synths” are
employed throughout. Vocals are to the
fore, both written lyrics and vocalese. The
Crescent, a jaunty number, features Ingham’s trombone against a driving
backbeat rhythm, interspersed slower synth-rich passages before vibraphone takes us
out. Tin mines in a more contemplative vein with lyrics by
Mansfield. Ingham’s violin and Comeau’s
piano start BMJC in almost Ceilidh style, before the rhythm section kick
in and take over the party, Ingham asserts his presence with fine bowing over
the driving pulse towards the finale.
Quay features
a melodic violin solo to start, joined by resonant trombone all over a steady
beat and background chords, this develops into an almost funk-style with fine
bass playing by Lee and an atmospheric contribution by Comeau on Fender
Rhodes. This is probably my favourite
track of the album, but is slightly spoiled by a fade at the end – why do they
do that (it’s not as if they’ve run out of time!)? Back to business with Hop – The Hip
Replacement, more lyrical bass playing by Lee, with instrumental
contributions by both Ingham brothers on trombone and violin respectively (in
compensation this has a false ending before the real ending a few bars
later). Itchy Knee brings you
back to reality before the final Bonsai Reprise.
Bonsai
Club is one of those genre-defying albums that is difficult to categorise –
there are any or all of jazz, fusion, prog rock, hot-club style violin (you
name it, it’s there, basically). A very
interesting listen, well put together and a fine exposition of musical
talent. The CD is released on the highly
respected Ubuntu label (UBU0031) and is available now
at only £10.
Bonsai
Club are on tour – dates here. They can also be heard on BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Now (available
for the next 21 days).
Hugh
C
*From
the Japanese bon (tree) and sai (planting)
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