Disc of the day: 20-05-09

Led Bib: Sensible Shoes (Cuneiform Records Rune 283)
Sensible shoes? Well, not in the “nice comfy pair from Marks” way, certainly. More likely some solid black work boots of the kind worn by metal guitarists, anarchist free jazzers and all those wolves lurking about in sheep’s clothing in the damp, dark rehearsal rooms of North London (yes, I’m assuming such places exist – such gritty stuff can hardly be made in light and airy surroundings, surely).

The gentle piano introduction to Yes, Again is soon joined by ominous bass and harmony saxes which build to a brief pause, after which all hell breaks loose; Squirrel Carnage takes a cryptic saxophone line that could just be spontaneous, and builds some “don’t invade my space” interaction with all five musicians finding their own holes to fill before once more joining the dots up into great, dark washes of sound, and some simultaneous soloing of Fender Rhodes and alto.

There are periods of respite from the fulsome fury, but even on Early Morning, the title perhaps suggesting bucolic peace, there is an ominous uncertainty in the air and the threat of squalls and dark deeds to come.

Led Bib is led by drummer Mark Holub, with Liran Donin on bass, Toby McLaren on keyboards, and Chris Williams and Pete Grogan on alto saxophones. Most of the pieces are written by Holub, who sounds like he might be good to have on one’s side in a pub brawl but in actuality is probably the gentlest of men.

There are two tunes by saxophonist Chris Williams which explore a calmer area of expression while still staying true to the Led Bib tonal range. I particularly like his closer, Zone 4, which, after an opening of controlled chaos, gets a chunky, lob-sided Rhodes riff going and a long, intricate double sax line, before relaxing into a more reflective solo. The piece then flows and ebbs while never sacrificing eloquence and builds to a storming, soulful finish.

Led Bib are by no means alone in this burgeoning field where jazz meets free meets rock, but they got into it fairly early on and have built a specific and most distinctive sound world which, while it may sometimes feel like a scary place to be, nevertheless has a certain dark allure and is definitely real.

The band launch Sensible Shoes tonight at The Arts Theatre Club in Soho. They have a lot to celebrate.