Album Review: Melt Yourself Down- Melt Yourself Down

Melt Yourself Down

Melt Yourself Down

*** out of *****

Melt Yourself Down is a 6 piece experimental outfit from England who use tribal grooves to sustain their blaring saxophone runs while Kushal Gaya chants in front of it all in various languages. There is a dance laden chaotic feel to the proceedings making for great party music.

There a fusion digital bleeps and moving brass dominated by saxophonists Pete Wareham and Shabaka Hutchings, at times holding the foundation or slamming in for brassy brakes. The group is a combo of lots of London based free jazz artists contributing but the end product is cohesive and not as experiential as it might seem on first glance. Things stay mostly in the Afrobeat genre as the first few songs "Fix My Life" and "Release!" feel like on elongated track in the vibe of Fela Kuti.

The band plays it pretty repetitive and with only 8 tracks it feels more like an elongated EP the a full length release. Difference's emerge with the shorter/mellower "Free Walk" which has a cool off kilter bass line from Ruth Goller and drumming from Tom Skinner, making it the most unique track here. An Egyptian tinge populates "Mouth To Mouth" as the energy picks up before the disk closes with the marching "Camel".

A good bridge for listeners who want to digitally get down in a new age but also still exposing them to the world of Afrobeat, funk and pop. A distinct party album that works to expand the ears while moving hips.   
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Some interesting mix of tunes here from this collective of British Jazz musicians. Oh and get ready for a lot more Jazz come January....

Buy the album here, you can also stream it here, peep some video below: