COMET IS COMING - Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam LP (colour vinyl)

Limited edition colour vinyl housed in gatefold sleeve.

We can see where fans of their previous work might take issue with the almost punk-rock approach to taking care of business here. Regardless, this is thrilling stuff, driven by a sharp musical rapport between the players and the unique pallet they paint with.

Shabaka Hutchings, the sax player, is the superstar of the group - he's been the darling of the London nu-jazz scene for some time now between this project and his at least somewhat more traditional other groups, Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and The Ancestors, exercising his creative restlessness similar to Les Claypool when he put Primus on hiatus and dove headlong into Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, and Oysterhead in the early aughts. And Hutchings' bludgeoning approach to his instrument serves him well here, taking a big role in driving and adding hooks to the controlled frenzy that the band often achieves.

For a three piece, underestimate drummer Betamax and key-man Danalogue at your own foolish risk, because they're what makes this band so distinct in the Shabaka portfolio, whether you loathe what they do together or find it trailblazing and brilliant.