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Forebrace: Steeped
ByAlthough Bad Folds was not lacking in energy and excitement, the live contexts give Steeped extra edge and irresistible immediacy. Tellingly, Ward is now credited with "clarinet and amplifier" rather than just clarinet, the amplification no doubt being necessary in concert so he can be heard alongside Roberto Sassi's electric guitar, Santiago Horro's electric bass and Jem Doulton's drums playing full-on, take-no-prisoners riffs. The stark contrast between those riffs and Ward's improvised clarinet is at the heart of Forebrace's music, supplying it with tension and dynamism. That clarinet is easily recognisable as being compatible with Ward's other recordings, be they solo, in duos or otherwise.
Some commentators have mentioned Forebrace in the same breath as Last Exit or Prime Time, doubtless because of those groups use of electricity. However, such comparisons do no favours to Forebrace, whose music is more rhythmic and energised than either of those two ensembles, and also includes far more improvisation than them. Whether by skilful editing or planning, the transitions between composed and improvised pieces are seamless, as in the changeover from the improvised "Planetesimals" into the composed "Stalks" where a bass riff from the former carries over into the latter. Such blurring of the boundaries makes the composed/improvised distinction irrelevant and means that the album can be enjoyed as an integrated whole.
Steeped demonstrates that Forebrace have come of age and are a potent force to be reckoned with. On this showing, their live gigs deserve to be just as popular as their recordings. This recording whets the appetite for more. We must hope it is not another three years until their next recording emerges.
Track Listing
Hive; Planetesimals; Stalks; Crest; Grains; Home Stretch; Bolt.
Personnel
Alex Ward
multi-instrumentalistAlex Ward: clarinet and amplifier; Roberto Sassi: electric guitar; Santiago Horro: electric bass; Jem Doulton: drums.
Album information
Title: Steeped | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Relative Pitch Records
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About Alex Ward
Instrument: Multi-instrumentalist
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