skalpel - konfusion
second album from the polish jazz freaks known as skalpel. this short album, continues in the same style as before, late night moods, smoky ambience, stand up acoustic bass lines, and drawn out gorgeousness.
from the off i should let you know that this is a jazz album, improvised free range solos fly out and clobber the listener on a regular basis which would normally make me run a mile, luckily though the guys hold back the excess for the most part, and maintain a very strict level of melody and funkiness, so just when 'flying officer' drifts off too far the track is pulled back and the excellence is maintained. the albums 10 tracks vary little in style thus making the album a consistent solid set of brushed drums, sax lines, acoustic bass lines, and a chunk of electric pianos. highlight for me is 'hiperbole' with its tense spydrama atmospherics and slight nudges towards the wah wah funk of lalo schiffins soundtracks.
time capsuled sonics for those that like to stroke their beards it may be, but casting aside my normal aversion of all things jazz, this album is still hugely enjoyable for when the mood dictates something with a little more class and style than your usual set of beats and noise.