LIVE SURANNÉ

This terse live album offers a quirky blend of instrumental big band and psychedelic effects. The first piece is the most accessible, and reminds me of a high school band at a pep rally (I assure the reader that I do not mean this derogatorily- I have many fond experiences of such ensembles). The second piece is far more bizarre, with strange psychedelic noises not unlike those found in Genesis' "The Waiting Room." The third blends both into an exercise of experimental yet structured jazz. The fourth part is more straightforward power jazz with layers of brass. Up next is a more plodding, darker tune that borrows a bit from Latin music. The first bonus track has a backing riff that in tone reminds me of ELO, while the soloing over it is more traditional funk. The second will appeal to those who enjoy Henry Cow. "Partie XV" is the best of the bunch for me.