Mammal Hands have staying power. Recruiting GoGo Penguin drummer Rob Turner was a shrewd move. But the band is in no way as interesting as what Go Go Penguin are doing right now. I have only seen this English act live once years and years ago in their original line-up at the Jazz Cafe and quite enjoyed their sound which hasn’t changed much even with the new drummer in position since. It’s quite a limited palette.
The drummer part is drum ‘n’ bass style out of central casting but not as frenetic. Chase and Status done as slo mo? Not really, but it’s a coherent basis to what they do.
The sax is a dreamy emotive cooing melancholia while the piano part pushes the sound on based on easy to get your head around vamps and intoxicating riffs.
It’s hard to dislike what they do. But it’s equally hard to get excited about them too. There’s no extended improvisation beyond the themes, it’s not that kind of jazz, but the writing is firmly founded on clarity and a no nonsense grasp on melody and tonalities.
Listen in one sitting if you can. Tunes on their own don’t give you the full picture. Better still hear the band live. This is the English act’s sixth album and was recorded in a Welsh studio, Nick Smart on piano and Jordan Smart on saxophone are the members still involved from the beginning.
The “circadia” of the title refers to circadian rhythms. Pick of the tracks for me is the poignant neo-minimalism of ‘Four Flowers’ which lands just on the right side of being overly soppy.
LATEST REVIEWS
- Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Around The World With U, Cellar Music **** recommended
- Biréli Lagrène, Elegant People, PeeWee! ****
- James Kitchman, Floating Sky, No label ***
- Stacey Kent, A Time For Love, Naïve Records ****
- Preview: Blair/Huber to surface at SJQ on the evening of Easter Monday down in Dalston
