Record Reviews

PINSKI ZOO ~ AFTER IMAGE SLAM 266 (Barcode: 5028386026624) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2002 - 2005 Released: 2006 This album presents a collection of live material recorded over a span of four years (2002 to 2005) by the seminal British ensemble Pinski ZooFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Jan KopinskiFind albums by this artist. This quintet lineup of the ensemble also includes keyboardist Steve IliffeFind albums by this artist, bassists Karl BinghamFind albums by this artist and Stefan KopinskiFind albums by this artist (Jan´s son) and drummer Steve HarrisFind albums by this artist (who sadly departed in 2008). The double CD presents fifteen original compositions by the band members, with total playing time of almost two hours and twenty minutes. These rough, uncensored and unedited live recordings are a perfect vehicle to present the thrilling live experience of Pinski Zoo on stage. Mixing Funk, Groove, Fusion, Electronics and Free into a completely unique amalgam, the band is certainly on fire at the time this music was recorded, well into the third decade of their activity. With the distinct double bass guitar lineup they are a force of Nature, driving the music hard using a polyrhythmic Funk groove as the basis with the keyboards supplying layers of electronic ambient and the sax floating on top of this complex structure, improvising with a passionate intensity. The two bass guitars are of course the most dominating aspect of this music, in full contrast to what is typically expected to be the role of the bass as part of the rhythm section. Both bassists supply the groove of course, but they constantly improvise and interplay with each other with infernal intensity, producing a mesmerizing effect. Another unusual aspect of this music is the fact that the melodic content, which often is subtly hidden beneath the surface, can be expressed not by the typical instruments to do so (saxophone or keyboards), but in this case also by the bass guitars. Of course Jan Kopinski is one of the most interesting and original British saxophone players and his work here is also absolutely brilliant. Iliffe and Harris are also an essential part of the overall effect the group produces on stage, which has very few competitors as far as the drive and vitality are concerned. It takes a while to "get into" this music, but once there it is completely absorbing and fascinating. I have no idea why it took me ten years to put my hands on this beauty, but better late than never is definitely very much true in this case. Something else, definitely!

Updated: 29/01/2016Posted: 29/01/2016

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