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Reptet: Chicken or Beef?
There is a refreshing awareness alongside a sense of unrelenting, yet effortless, energy to the compositions. This forms a strong and interesting contrast to their sometimes quirky nature. Harmonies flutter from tight unison to wide, yearning Wagner-esque sonorities in "Gwand Wabbit," all the while driven forwards by the exacting and infectious groove of drummer John Ewing and bassist Tim Carey. The lack of a traditional chordal instrument on a majority of the tracks in no way limits the music. The horns weave deft lines behind vivacious improvisations with far more interest and dynamic than could be achieved by a piano or guitar. The ensemble reveal a wide range of influences, from the explosive Mexican lament and dance on "Reptet Score!" to the jovial trombone-led masquerade on "That's Chicken or Beef" and the rocked up intro to "Fish Market."
As an album, it feels almost like a compilation, or a sampler of the band's more than obvious talent, and leaves the impression that they could easily release an entire record based on anyone of the themes explored. But this is not to say that it lacks cohesion, rather that they chose be trapped within one style, and have blurred the edges between the rest.
As to the question posed by the title: if you want fiery, spiced chicken, listen to some bop, and if you hunger for a beefier, more cerebral cut, look to the avant- garde. However, if you want both, along with a side from the expansive buffet of music, then Reptet and Chicken or Beef? Will provide a solid and exciting experience.
Track Listing
Danger Notes; Reptet Score!; eltiT; Eve of Thrieve; Chicken or Beef?; That's Chicken or Beef; Gwand Wabbit; Fish Market; Swanni; Kill the Air; Go Bears.
Personnel
Reptet
variousJohn Ewing: drums, percussion, bull moose call, vocals; Samantha Boshnack: trumpet, flugelhorn, slide trumpet, vocals; Chris Credit: baritone, alto, and tenor saxes, vocals; Tim Carey: upright and electric bass, baritone guitar, vocals; Nelson Bell: trombone, tuba, euphonium, conch shell, vocals; Izaak Mills: tenor sax, bass clarinet, flute, percussion, bull moose call, vocals; Lalo Bello: percussion (1, 2, 5, 8); Mark Oi: guitar (6, 8); Tobi Stone: clarinet (5, 6); Clinton Fearon: frog (1, 6), vocals (6); Eyvind Kang: viola (1); Lori Goldston: cello (1); Paris Hurley: violin (1); Maeg O'Donoghue-Williams: vocals (7); Sari Breznau: vocals (7); Kevin Hinshaw: vocals (7); Scott Adams: vocals (7); Satchmo: vocals (11); Jack: vocals (11).
Album information
Title: Chicken or Beef? | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Monktail Records