UK’s Slam Records continues to create new sounds and dimensions.
A concert at the Absity Klub, in the Czech Republic city of Ostrava during June of 2019 finds the team of George Haslam on the exotic reed instrument the tarogato, joined by pianist/vocalist Aida Mujacic, percussionist Steve Hubback and bassist Josef Laska. The team meanders for 16 minutes on “Here We Go”, trudges through the traditional sounding “Lamps, Clocks and Towers” ruminates with voice and reed on “In The Domain of the Green Fairy” and pulsates for “The Tree Towers of Sedlec”. A mix of folk tales, folk tones and walks through narrow lanes.
Max Oliver plays electric cello alongside drummer Ollie Usiskin for nine intuitive originals. Oliver hits the lower register on “Storm Burst” and reaches for the heavens on the 12 minute “Disagree to Agree”. A mix of picking and bowing give a Mingusy feel to the frisky “Leading Up To” while some honking bowing takes place on “Stretch”. Usiskin digs a nice groove on “ Changes of Direction” and “Swing P ush” , snaps sharply and crisply on “The Reaction of the Two” with the two getting into a chaotic clutter on “Irritation.” Don’t look for transcriptions on this one.