Alex Ward / Pat Thomas / Dominic Lash / Darren Hasson-Davis

Perhaps answering the question of what Anthony Braxton’s compositions would sound like if played by Weather Report is this classic session by The Locals, recorded in 2003 but not released until now. Pat Thomas’ astute arrangements let the UK quintet transform Braxton’s mathematical titled tunes into rhythmically sophisticated tracks that reflect ProgRock as much as pure improv. Intermingling textures from Thomas’ keyboards, Darren Hasson-Davis’ drums, Dominic Lash’s electric bass and Evan Thomas’ guitar provides the symmetry. Meanwhile the flutter tonguing, note-splaying and flattement from Alex Ward’s clarinet confirms that in this music it’s as effective as a saxophone.

This is demonstrated on tracks such as “Composition 115” where squeaky reed glissandi soar over bludgeoned piano slaps, chunky guitar riffs and a bass line that any second threatens to become “Birdland”. More exploratory than that Joe Zawinul tune, the image conjured up is of Jimmy Giuffre’s spidery tones mixed with those of a funk band. A similar tension-release is maintained on all selections even as the tone organization keeps the five away from the expected. Foot tapping backing includes cymbal cracks and chunky ruffs from the drummer, Lash’s almost ceaseless paced groove, guitar motifs which range from Blues note stabs to rhythm-guitar scratches and Thomas’ keyboard twists that encompass electric-propelled shuffles and acoustic piano formalism.

The concert performance climaxes with the concluding “Composition 23g” as slender clarinet puffs are doubled by Thomas’ melodica shrills, backed by mellotrone-like electrified riffs and clanging and buzzing dissonance from the string players. Creating a call-and-response motif among whining guitar flanges, trilling reed glissandi and keyboard vibrations, the tune’s disparate parts finally climax in a multi-pronged connective drone.

Creating a new way to hear Braxton music is the achievement of the Locals. Considering the composer’s musical universalism he would probably dig the program as well.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Composition 40b 2. Composition 6c 3. Composition 115 4. Composition 23b 5. Composition 6i 6. Composition 23g

Personnel: Alex Ward (clarinet); Pat Thomas (piano and melodica); Evan Thomas (guitar); Dominic Lash (electric bass) and Darren Hasson-Davis (drums)