Ches Smith
Clone Row
***and1/2 out of *****
The newest offering from Brooklyn based percussionist Ches Smith, is the dynamic Clone Row. The album is vibrantly alive with avant-garde jazz phrasing, club ready beats and dynamics that can be mind altering; do not operate heavy machinery while listening.
While it is Smith's project, Clone Row is really a quartet, with extra focus given to the off-kilter guitar work. Playing with Smith (drums, vibes, electronics) are Mary Halvorson - guitar (right channel) Liberty Ellman - guitar (left channel) and Nick Dunston - bass, electronics. The NYC based group let their freak flags fly as weird sounds, deep grooves and electro ghosts all scream out at various times.
Beginning with the best song on the album, "Ready Beat" sets the tone. The track uses skittering programmed beats, vibraphones, and odd guitar plucking to set the downtown scene. The pulsing heartbeat under the guitars and electro wizardry keeps things pumping in exciting fashion.
The quartet fall into more free jazz for "Abrade With Me" as the bleeps and digital hiccups mix with deep stand up bass. The title track is a tale of two tunes as the first half is a weird electro freak out with odd popping before a great groove drops in and rides to a smooth second half. That sense of great groove drips over into "Town Down" which is the most 'standard' offering here as the bass and drums lead the way allowing the guitars to snake in and out, talking to each other in less abstract fashion.
The ominous tones lurch forward for "Heart Breakthrough" as the pulsing and thumping electro vibes kick up and get kooky, but still retain a head bopping quality. The slower, less chaotic bass led "Sustained Nightmare" warbles along the edges and unfortunately the album ends on a sour note with the repetitive electro warning signals of "Play Bell (For Nick)".
Overall though Ches Smith and company deliver an interesting but still groove focused jazz album, reminiscent of the more adventurous Medeski Martin and Wood records from a few decades ago. Clone Row is worth the listen as the drums and bass mix with electros and guitars in engaging fashion.
________
Support the artist, buy the album, peep some video below:
No comments:
Post a Comment