STRUCTURE ET FORCE

With a name like this you'd think they were a Post-Rock band but no they're Avant all the way with a strong Jazz flavour. As Guldbamsen mentions you do get a Big Band vibe here considering how large the group is. Five horn players, four guys on percussion of some sort or another along with two keyboardists, two guitarists and a bass player. Yeah that's a big band. This group rose out of the ashes of TIPOGRAPHICA and are from Japan.

"Structure I" has some nice chunky bass to start with a beat then it kicks into a fuller sound before a minute. Horns come and go. That intro is reprised after 5 minutes but with the sax playing over top. It kicks back in before ending with drums only. "Structure II" opens with organ then the drums and vocals take over. Horns after 1 1/2 minutes. This is like Free Jazz with dissonant horns ripping it up as other sounds help out. "Structure III" has this wah wah sounding organ before a full sound takes over before 1 1/2 minutes. A lot of intricate sounds here. Horns come in and take over after 3 minutes. Electric piano (yes !) comes to the fore 7 minutes in until after 9 1/2 minutes when the horns take over again.

"Structure IV" is my least favourite but it's still good. Mellow sounds to open then horns come in after a minute. It's mellow again before 2 1/2 minutes before turning fuller around 4 minutes. A laid back horn a minute later and organ too. A change 6 1/2 minutes in with pulsating sounds then the horns return. "Structure V" has lots of these repetitive intricate sounds early on. Horns around 2 minutes then a change after 3 1/2 minutes as organ and more kick in. The horns become prominant and check out the angular guitar 7 1/2 minutes in. So much going on. This really does get better as it plays out. "Structure VI" kicks in early with percussion and some crazy guitar. Nice bass here too.

An excellent release for those who are looking for some challenging and adventerous Jazz flavoured music.