The other founder members, Reid Anderson and Dave King, keep to the band’s ethos and approach to creating music – sometimes intense, sometimes light and humorous, though the occasional air of whimsy no longer accompanies them. On their second album together, the two newer members of the band, Chris Speed and Ben Monder, bring a broad palette, offering new dimensions and textures.

The new format asserts itself from the opening track, Anderson’s Grid/Ocean. Building in intensity from the simple opening drum pattern, Monder’s ethereal treated guitar adds depth whilst Speed’s saxophone scales the heights. Culminating in a return to King’s repeated tom tom figures, it’s as if the album is encapsulated in one intensely emotional, sparsely beautiful track.

At the other end of the record is Monder’s Li Po. This slowly edges along as if finding a path from Monder’s arpeggios through some impressionistic free sections to the abstract soundscape of more textured guitar. In between are several faster tunes, such as Speed’s Cupcakes One, which feels almost punky, and Anderson’s rocky Deep Water Sharks.

The Bad Plus have kept many of their distinguishing features even as they have developed in other ways. Anderson’s thoughtful approach to composition results in some beautiful tunes; King’s sometimes off-kilter, skitterish drumming adds an irreverent, humorous touch. But the addition of guitar and saxophone bring more resources, more dimensions, and the result is a wonderfully balanced collection of tunes.

Patrick Hadfield lives in Edinburgh, occasionally takes photographs, and sometimes blogs at On the Beat.

from https://ukjazznews.com