(Leaf)

UK instrumental quintet carry on pushing the jazz envelope

Led by drummer Seb Rochford, London’s Polar Bear play heavily improvised music some have labelled ‘post-jazz’. PB’s undoubtable chops and crossover appeal have brought recognition with 2005’s Mercury Prize-nominated Held On The Tips Of The Fingers, yet they largely shun commercial success, instead concentrating on exploring the rhythmic and melodic possibilities of a somewhat unconventional (for jazz) two-saxophone, guitar, bass and drums format. Peepers, the five-piece’s fourth album, carries a distinct Lounge Lizards feel with nary an echo of Arto Lindsay’s avant-guitar scratches or John Lurie’s spy-movie sax – this is 21st century jazz, groovy without being cheesy and edgy without being sinister. An established folktronica artist in his own right, guitarist Leafcutter John’s approach is a lot more post/math-rock than jazz while Tom Herbert’s deep double bass anchors saxophonists Pete Wareham and Mark Lockheart’s alternately frenzied/subdued solos. Rochford, however, is the band’s star muso – his propulsive work on the energetic opener Happy For You and funky title track makes them the album’s most head-nodding moments, while on slower tracks like The Love Didn’t Go Anywhere and Finding Our Feet he keeps the pulse ticking with the subtlest of hi-hat brushings. All of the above makes Peepers an intriguing and rewarding listening experience.

DENIS SEMCHENKO

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