Reviews
Artist:Near Jazz Experience Album: Nought To 60
Label: Satorial
Tracks: 4
Website: https://thenje.bandcamp.com
This mini-album by The Near Jazz Experience, showcases the trio's improv based, groove heavy instrumental music. Terry Edwards and Simon Charterton's from the Higsons and Mark Bedford from Madness make up The NJE and the band's music is as rich and vital as their huge pedigree suggests. The trios name is both a pun and I think part homage to Hendrix's seminal three piece. Personally, I don't think they need to be so cautious, unless they are trying to avoid the J word, as they seem nearer in spirit, verve and musicality than some of the soporific vocalists and players happy to claim close proximity to that most lively, changeable and ever evolving of musical forms.
Spirit of INDO, is a named for the tiny Whitechapel pub, which spawned The Near Jazz Experience and where they had a monthly residence for nine years until the venue closed. The track is a sprawling masterpiece that successfully combines hypnotic electronics and Jazz. Mark Bedford's electronics open with a languid John Martyn like funky "Big Muff" Electroplex loop. Terry Edwards' brass manages to encapsulate Birches Brew phased weirdness and a kind of eastern honking take on The Viscounts, as he plays both trumpet and saxophone, with some of that Dub Colossus smoky mystery. It is close to eleven minutes of wonder that manages to be hypnotic without getting repetitive or boring and as funky as anything thanks to Simon Charterton's drums and Mark Bedford's bass. Similarly spiritual is the charged but meditative instrumental version of Bowie's "Five Years". That interesting but tight rhythm section again lays down a base with a delicate melodica melody over the top.
A sublime tribute to a musically facetted performer. "Tizita" is inspired by the Ethiopian jazz giant Mulatu Astatke. Terry Edwards worked with Mulatu a few years back and the tune features the exotic blend of electronics, lively percussion and jazz the players have in common. All of the tracks so far will definitely appeal to any fans of those textured grainy Dub Colossus recordings or Astatke's Ethiopique series. "Nought To 60" is probably the most surprising track on this wonderful EP, the title and the pulsing beats suggest Kraftwerk's Autobahn with Hawkwind's Nik Turners roaring saxophone over the top. While having me reaching for my Heavy Metal Free Jazz records by Peter Brozmann and Sonny Sharrock's Last Exit, the track perfectly captures the pace, grime and honking traffic of a journey spent thundering round say the North Circular, with a nod to Kraftwerk's electronic horns and doppler shifted car noises.
This is a simply stunning two sides of music that manages to be exhilarating and soothing within four tracks. Only 500 copies for this Record Store Day surely means this should be sort after by those looking for hot tickets and desirable items.
Marc Higgins
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Nought to 60
Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
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