A word salad let us untangle these uns from one another: And no - me neither - have not a clue not I of the significance of the naming. Away from dictionary corner a version of Wayne Shorter's 'Speak No Evil' at the end is a bit of familiarity for 1960s jazz fans. A sound that is far more contemporary and more 70s and 80s onwards ostensibly and even funky in places has loungey drums and tactile bass making tracks like 'Bim's Bounce' very laidback. Never under nimble, noodly, guitar works well and harmonically the lead lines are fresh, lean and reward frequent replay. From Manchester shaped around a trio guests chip in, wafting in and out. Around since 2019 their earlier work did not do much for us but this is much more interesting. Tunes apart from the Shorter treatment are originals. Bim as in 'Bim's Bounce' is guitarist Bim Williams, said nimble noodler - the other mainstays are bass guitarist Andy Patterson and drummer Ruben Sheridan who reminds us a little of Eddie Hick stylistically, the Sons of Kemet player. More Holdsworthian prog than the far more nebulous nu jazz as a describer the acid test to put all this to is to ask yourself sternly: Would you go out to see these guys live on a cold wet night somewhere dank in a venue oop north that hasn't too many creature comforts when there are many more comfy soft southerner options available elsewhere on the basis of what's here? Out next week. Three of the tracks are already streaming. And it's a yes by the way. The tension won't kill you knowing that. But missing out on these jazzers bubbling up from the grassroots should you be so careless might make you mutter and mumble about the parlous information vacuum about decent new jazz acts yet again. Nonunonu, l-r: Andy Patterson, Ruben Sheridan, Bim Williams
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