Jazz Articles about The Remote Viewers

The Remote Viewers: Stranded Depots

by Glenn Astarita
July 1, 2001

The trio known as “The Remote Viewers” continues with their tightly woven sax/synth arrangements amid Louise Petts’ often deviously alluring vocals, evidenced on “The Slow Edge” and elsewhere. “Sequences of Regret” features haunting EFX, sounds of the pocket theremin and counteracting horn choruses, whereas the band also intermingles semi-classical undercurrents with intricately executed modern jazz-based interludes and odd-metered two-note unison lines. Basically, the trio’s calling card consists of rhythmically constructed motifs, brimming with complex yet well-coordinated sax parts and the ...

The Remote Viewers: Persuasive With Aliens

by Glenn Astarita
August 1, 2000

With their third release for “Leo Records” titled, Persuasive With Aliens, we find “The Remote Viewers” covering David Bowie’s “Jump They Say” and ultra modern rock band, “Portishead”’s “All Mine” along with a collection of originals that earmark this band’s adventurous yet at times cabalistic demeanor. Here, the musicians continue with their three-saxophone hybrid electronics style of attack augmented by Louis Petts’ often-sultry yet otherworldly or dreamlike vocals. Pieces such as “The Destraction of Elegance” and “Alien Landscape” exhibit the ...

The Remote Viewers: Obliques Before Pale Skin

by Glenn Astarita
November 1, 1999

Obliques Before Pale Skin is the follow up to “The Remote Viewers” fine 1998 Leo Lab release titled, Low Shapes in Dark Heat. The proceedings get off to a predictably fine start with Louise Petts’ hauntingly beautiful vocals on the standard “It Could Happen To You” – yet not without the customary twist or two........Aided by a dash of reverb and overall excellent audio engineering, the Trio ensue with eerie and perhaps intentionally bizarre synthesizer sounds which segues into Madonna’s ...

The Remote Viewers: Low Shapes In Dark Heat

by Glenn Astarita
January 1, 1999

A new band to this reviewer’s ears. “The Report Viewers” operate as a Trio consisting of: David Petts; tenor sax, synths: Louise Petts; alto sax, vocals, synths and Adrian Northover; alto & soprano saxophones. “Low Shapes In Dark Heat” is a much welcome surprise and a breath of fresh air. Strikingly original concepts, unorthodox arrangements and some gorgeous vocals from Louise Petts. Frank Sinatra will never sound the same after their rendition of Ervin Drake’s “It Was a Very Good ...

The Remote Viewers: Low Shapes in Dark Heat

by Robert Spencer
December 1, 1998

The Remote Viewers are a saxophone trio: Adrian Northover on soprano and alto, Louise Petts on alto (plus voice and synthesizer) and David Petts on tenor sax (and synthesizer). On Low Shapes in Dark Heat they play postmodern jazz, powered by techno rhythms. All three of them are clearly excellent instrumentalists. Here they are interested in exploring a postpunk, postfree aesthetic that has tremendous influence over their sound.

The opening track, “What the Building Wants," has the trio playing close ...