Best known in recent years for his work alongside pianist Alexander Hawkins – so punchily also here on this track ‘When We Were Gods’ – on Anthony Braxton’s gargantuan Quartet Standards (2020) and further back as a member of the hardcore free improv outfit Bourne/Davis/Kane – check their 2008 classic Lost Something, do – drummer-composer-improviser Stephen Davis has a love of multi-directional drumming styles personified by the likes of Rashied Ali.
And it shows. Here on a dazzling display lit up by ferocious saxophone playing (Angelika Niescier and Dreamlife of Debris‘ Tom Challenger) and fascinating bass playing from Nick Dunston – whose shifting, edgy beyond-the-bar-line sense of poise is reminiscent of Luke Stewart’s approach a bit – ‘When We Were Gods’ was recorded in Ireland last year and ably introduces an album out next month called The Gleaming World to be issued by avant label 577 Records.
It’s the best thing we have heard from Davis in years oh under his own steam since 2015’s Sugar Blade with Kris Davis and Ralph Alessi which itself stands the test of time more than well.
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