Breach - On the Walk
(BREACHCD01. CD Review by Chris Parker)
The overall sound produced by the Scotland-based trio Breach (electric guitarist Graeme Stephen, organist Paul Harrison, Canada-born drummer Chris Wallace) will remind many listeners of that of the Asaf Sirkis Trio: over Wallace's emphatically tumbling but sensitive drumming, the two soloists utilise all the considerable tonal variety at the disposal of their respective instruments, Stephen's playing ranging from hard-edged and spiky runs to softly stroked chords, Harrison alternately blasting and crooning over his deft bass pedals.
Their material is all in-band originals, nearly half by Wallace, and it ranges from relatively straightforward riffs that give rise to slow-building explorations, to more unusual, freer pieces, some incorporating skilfully exploited electronic effects. Textural variety and rhythmic tension are Breach's great strengths, and their climaxes (usually involving a repeated phrase punched out by Wallace) are impressive and exciting; this is a rousing and vibrant album that promises much from their live performances.
London Jazz Festivalgoers, incidentally, will be able to see Stephen and Wallace play opposite Bill Frisell at the QEH on 20 November, since they form two-thirds of the band NeWt (completed by trombonist Chris Grieve).
Available from Cdbaby
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