Binker & Moses: Feeding The Machine

After saxophonist Binker Golding and drummer Moses Boyd released their debut album, Dem Ones (Gearbox Records, 2015), the duo earned the U.K. Jazz FM Awards' "Best Jazz Act" trophy (2016). Unquestionably the soul of their own machine, Binker and Moses have rarely functioned simply as a duo. By their second Gearbox release, Journey To The Mountain Of Forever (2017), they had added a guest roster including Evan Parker, Sarathy Korwar (Ill Considered), harp, trumpet, and additional percussionist. The two subsequent Gearbox albums were concert recordings: Alive In The East? (2018), and Escape The Flames (2020). The first of these featured a lineup similar to Journey... while Escape The Flames was a true duo recording.

Having already reached semi-iconic status on the London jazz scene in 2016, Binker and Moses embarked on some excellent individual projects while continuing to perform live. In 2020, they collaborated with electronics/sampling artist Simon Ratcliffe from U.K. electronic dance duo Basement Jaxx. The resulting 12" single, and CD, Village Of The Sun (Gearbox) featured the title track and b-side "Ted." Both pieces are excellent and this new direction placed the electronics in a subdued setting. Now, six years after their last full studio release, Binker and Moses further twist that recent approach on Feeding The Machine.

Primarily a bassist and pianist, Max Luthert joins Feeding The Machine playing electronics and tape loops. Unlike Ratcliffe's role on Village Of The Sun, Luthert is more involved in the mix on each of the six tracks on this album. It's good news when it works well, and most often, it does. "Asynchronous Intervals," at eleven-plus minutes, is a gorgeous, slowly building work of art. Luthert's ethereal intro allows Golding to quietly emerge as if from a dream. Moses doesn't kick in for several minutes but when he does, it sets the tenor on fire. "Feed Infinite" pre-dates the album as a 2021 single; the characteristic Binker and Moses sound permeated with restrained popping electronics. "After The Machine Settles" crystalizes this iteration of the group as Luthert's contribution helps create a kind of exquisite madness. The music feels as if it could tear itself apart even while mournful at its core.

Feeding The Machine struggles on "Active-Multiple-Fetish-Overlord" and "Accelerometer Overdose." Both are promising early on but the dynamics become muddled in a frenetic whirl of instruments and effects; it becomes difficult to distinguish the players and the path forward. Still, Binker and Moses are wise to remain restive in their approach. Theirs is an elastic formula that suits their visceral style and virtuoso performance.