Mass

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Gary Smith has been constantly nagging presence on the British improv and avant-rock scenes since his days with 70s jazz-rock-improv unit The Acme Quartet. That he is barely known even to the generally rather voracious improv audience is a huge shame. For Smith is undoubtedly one of the most original, virtuosic and searching guitar players working in improv, anywhere, let alone within the UK. Ironically, it may be his virtuosity which has kept him from wider attention within improv circles, who could baulk at his exuberance in playing: he employs both a two-hands-on-the fretboard technique and a careful use of an elaborate FX chain in such a way that spontaneously created lines of melody - often several at once - at once explode with ferocity and contrapuntal invention. This CD is the debut for his new power trio Mass, in which he plays with bassist and electronics-manipulator Gary Jeff (a one-time member of Kevin Martin's almost legendary London-based Industrial-Jazz powerhouse God) and drummer Lou Ciccotelli (himself a one time God-person, and, more recently live drummer with Laika and the rhythms behind freak-rock/ rap collective Ice). The album - itself a debut for the Paratactile Label, a new venture for Trevor Manwaring, prime mover of jazz- and improv-reissue label Chronoscope - was recorded live-to-tape, with no post production, in just a single day's session. Phew. This is intense stuff. Comparisons have been made elsewhere to early Lifetime, and, yes, I can see that, but this is its own music: aggressive free-rock. Deeply impressive. Smith apparently has more releases on the horizon - both with Mass and solo - and we'll keep you up to date with them all.