One for the percussion heads among us - Trio HLK is a classical-jazz crossover listen stylistically heavily informed by jazz-rock and Indian classical music, the adventurous ''H'' as in Wandering Monster pianist Rich Harrold; ''L'' as in guitarist Ant Law; and ''K'' as in drummer/percussionist Rich Kass - who have collaborated extensively with Dame Evelyn Glennie and who continue their collaborative work together here. New in the mix are guesting classical cellist Natalie Clein and Bangalore born singer and flautist Varijashree Venugopal. Touching overtly on jazz heavily along the way most notably in the opening riff on 'Concertinas (for Bill),' Anthropometricks has a ferocious momentum to it often driven at a dizzying pelt particularly when Law becomes more prominent. The two part 'Apostrophe' suite fixes in on firstly bells and secondly syncopated piano responding textures that go some way to provide some kind of balm, not that as listeners we are at all soft soaped. Law on 'Flanagan's Lament' is thrashily compelling as is the sheer elasticity that the ensemble develops throughout.
Tags: reviews