If you like Get the Blessing you probably will appreciate what Madness bassist Mark Bedford, drummer Simon Charterton ex of the 80s funk punk band The Higsons, stellar rock sessioneer sax & trumpet man Terry Edwards (another alumnus of the Norwich outfit) get up to here. Also on the record which revels in a sort of primitive and refreshing ballsiness are Oliver Cherer on synths and Paul Cuddeford on guitar.
Joined by keyboardiists Aladdin Sane Bowie-ite Mike Garson and Jamiroquai’s Matt Johnson whose Warrior Princess I recently reviewed, tunes are no nonsense, catchy, full of rattlingly skeletal riffs, harsh sax timbre and no nonsense bravura a bit like the aforementioned Bristolians in their heyday. It doesn’t sound like your average jazz record at all but passes muster more than well unless you arrive with a set view on how something is supposed to sound that is. I like the bhangra feel to ‘Bebinca Beat,’ the flute textures on ‘Midwinter,’ head bobbery aplenty on yes ‘A Head’ and much else. The bass lines are a treat. One to put on in the kitchen at a party. It’ll get things started.
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