ABACADAË

Fans of Henry Cow might get a kick out of this album, considering it sounds an awful lot like them on many respects. It is essentially a jazz record with avant-garde leanings, for example, using a repetitive yet dissonant vamp for more mainstream soloing. The guitar and bass work is the real treat, yet the trumpet during the first five minutes of "Course Épique" is without question the highlight. So this album has a few stellar moments, but is quite frustrating because just when the music gets good, the band ruins things with disharmonious balderdash.

"Hu Blu Bin" The bass sets the tone, but the other instruments dominate the piece, namely drums and saxophone. Yet the piece becomes atonal, full of electronic screeching, and not enjoyable. The final moments are rather akin to King Crimson's "Moonchild."

"Les Dieux En Face Des Trous" Quite similar to early Henry Cow, this has brass music ranging from melodic to wild, with some exceptional guitar work afterwards. Of course, it becomes harsh and discordant toward the conclusion.

"Petite Douceur" This terse ninety-five second instrumental has a subdued chord progression with a pleasing horn duet working over it.

"Il Rôde Toujours" Monotonous blasts of brass shout over a laid back bass groove. It becomes boisterous quickly enough though- not bad, but not exactly calling for repeat plays, either.

"Course Épique" Lonely trumpet, very much in the vein of the late great Miles Davis, charms the listener. It is a tranquil, almost mournful piece with gorgeous subtleties and a thicker arrangement during the second half. Electric guitar laden with tremolo plays over light drumming before adopting distortion and rolling with a creative solo.

"Ôde Au Raboteur Flamand" Offbeat drumming and raucous saxophone go at it, doing two completely different things. The music maintains a quirky huff and puff sound, with quick jabs of notes and odd noises.

"Abacadaë" Initially quite energetic, this jazzy number tapers off rather quickly, leaving behind a soft electric guitar. As it picks up, my mind focuses on that exquisite bass work.