From the outset, the opener 'Shadowboy Radio Theme Song,' it's apparent that 'No Wave Au Go Go' is going to be an adventure in avant-jazz fusion with a solid sense of rhythm and spiky guitar undercurrents. Given the backgrounds (and pedigree) of the three band members - Andy Haas was a member of Martha and the Muffins); Don Fiorino is a multi-instrumentalist who's been around on the NY scene for many years; Dee Pop worked with The Bush Tetras, The Clash, The Gun Club and many others - this eclectic approach should come as no surprise.
A down the middle split of original material and covers, it's tightly performed, with some slick - and sometimes crazy - sax playing over a locked-on rockin' groove that builds and drops back at just the right time... the musicians are clearly intuitive and, despite this being improvised, the tracks are all played with an ear firmly turned to listenability. There are changes of texture and tempo aplenty, from the smooth sounds of 'No Problem' (originally written and recorded by Duke Jordan) to the more angular and discordant title track. You almost expect the ghost of Jack Kerouac to pop up during some of the freakier moments.
|
There are occasions when it all threatens to get a bit much: it is very definitely a muso set, and the compositions tend to be very busy in places, and as the songs are pretty much all segued together, there's little respite. But just when your head's starting to spin, though, there'll be a change of pace, or key, or they'll take it down a notch.
I have to admit to having found this album rather hard work at times, but I have to admire Radio I-Ching's musicianship, and the fact they're enjoying themselves simply radiates from the speakers. I dig where they're coming from, it's just not entirely my bag.
http://www.myspace.com/radioichingnewyork
|
