This week’s guide is by CF Smith and contributors Arifur Rahman, and Irfan Ayaan.
Another week, another Between The Cracks! We have six great discoveries this week, from the mind-boggling, brilliant debut release from Thorn Wych to the mind-bending transmissions of Rhythm Doctor it’s all music for the curious mind. Without further ado, dive into our picks, and if something delights your ears, follow the buy link to make it yours! Enjoy the music, and have a fantastic weekend!
Albums
Thorn Wych – Aesthesis
Mind-boggling, brilliant debut release from Thorn Wych, an instrument maker and musician based in the Lancashire town of Bacup. Drawing inspiration from titles like The Secret Book of John, the 1940 classic The Thief Of Baghdad, and Lata Mangeshkar’s Meera Bhajans, she tips her hat to these influential works. The sleeve features Wych with bizarre, custom-crafted wooden instruments, perfectly capturing the essence of the music inside. It promises to whisk you away on a bizarrely beautiful escapade filled with bewitching sonic wonders and delivers abundantly. Her creations are a symphony of bowed string instruments, flutes, and percussion, intricately looped and twisted through pitch bends and delay pedals. Imagine peculiar hymns or homespun folk sung in a mix of indiscernible languages transformed into a weird and wonderful musical mash. This is magnificent! – CFS
Marshall Allen – New Dawn
This album is a delightful treasure. “New Dawn” is an unusual one among debut albums. Following his 100th birthday, Centenarian Marshall Allen started working on his first solo album after being a Sun Ra’s Arkestra member since 1958. New Dawn feels both nostalgic and forward-looking; each track is a back-and-forth journey through time. Saxophonist Allen’s compositional energy on record is astonishingly infectious. It is a purified form of Ra’s legacy and sounds through Allen’s sieve. The title track is the album’s star, featuring Knoel Scott’s lyrics and Neneh Cherry’s immaculate voice. Along with strings and brass, many songs, such as “African Sunset”, feature perfect guitar solos. Wishing Marshall Allen a spectacular century of life! – AR
Peace Flag Ensemble – Everything Is Possible
Peace Flag Ensemble’s third LP, Everything Is Possible, marks a significant evolution for the ambient free jazz collective. This sextet from Regina has honed their sound, delivering their most melodic and accessible work to date. Pianist Jon Neher takes centre stage, his improvisations forming the album’s core. His more assertive approach, inspired by recent live performances, allows for both virtuosic moments and subtle interplay. The chemistry between flugelhornist Dalton Lam and saxophonist Paul Gutheil is particularly noteworthy, their lyrical exchanges reminiscent of a captivating conversation. Standout track Ann Hodges Asleep on The Sofa showcases the ensemble’s newfound balance, with Mike Thievin’s restrained yet intricate drumming anchoring Travis Packer’s exploratory bass lines. Producer Michael Scott Dawson’s ambient guitar and electronics add a contemporary edge, bridging the gap between Tortoise’s late ’90s experimentalism and Keith Jarrett’s mid-’70s innovations. Everything Is Possible lives up to its name, tackling themes of hope, love, and even time travel. The album’s expanded sonic palette and sharper focus demonstrate Peace Flag Ensemble’s growth as a unit while maintaining the atmospheric qualities that defined their earlier work. – IA
Mu Quintet – Enos
Enos, the latest offering from Mu Quintet, is a testament to their reputation for pushing jazz’s boundaries. This Leeds-based ensemble, known for dynamic compositions and exciting improvisations, delivers a captivating blend of modal and avant-garde jazz across eight diverse tracks. The album’s sound is a rich tapestry of intricate melodies and complex harmonies, anchored by the quintet’s tight interplay. Matt Cliffe’s tenor sax and Joel Stedman’s bass clarinet weave seamlessly with Hugh Vincent’s piano, creating a lush sonic landscape. The rhythm section of Elliot Roffe and Simon Henry provides a solid foundation, allowing for both structure and free-flowing improvisation. Rich Man Blues stands out as a tour de force, showcasing the group’s ability to balance tradition with innovation. Its eight-minute runtime allows for expansive solos and group interplay. The two-part Through Waters offers a more experimental approach, featuring the addition of Vulva Voce. This string quartet adds depth and texture to the quintet’s sound. Enos is a bold step forward for Mu Quintet, demonstrating their growth as composers and improvisers. – IA
Eyal Talmudi – Sonolodge
“Sonolodge” is more like a collection of musical meditations inspired by one of Israel’s busiest reed players, Eyal Talmudi’s experience after reaching spiritual highs in a sweat lodge. This live-recorded exploration is a magnificent addition to Talmudi’s discography. His haunting yet uplifting reed work blends with distinct sounds from tanpura and vibraphone. Like his previous albums, Sonolodge bears the mark of Talmudi’s creativity and groove. The opening “Dawn Swan” sets the trance-like mood of this record. The ambient nature of songs like “Mukti Flirt” and “Hugs for All” is simple but surprisingly fresh and rich in tone. Slip on your headphones and retreat to a peaceful corner. – AR
Rhythm Doctor – Digital Juju
Essential late 2024 release from the mighty Rhythm Doctor. Seven mind-bending transmissions of deep transcendental rhythmic techno, spacey ambience and bass-heavy dub from the good Doctor. For a taste of what’s to come, get your ears around the opening track ‘Floating With Sonny (In Techno Space)’ —it offers a glimpse of the high-quality listening experience that awaits. Honestly, I can’t get enough of this one. It’s been on repeat since it landed in my ears earlier this week. – CFS
