Tonight is part of the Manchester Jazz Festival. It's been running for almost thirty years but this is the first event I've ever been to. I wasn't sure what to expect but it seems like it is just one band with no support then you can go on to the next show afterwards if you fancy.
Mammal Hands start off with a delicate piano motif before the keys are played a little more forcefully and the saxophone comes in. The pace is quite slow and there is a lot of space between the notes. The drums sound like rolling thunder in this introduction. When the band get into their flow it is like Gogo Penguin with saxophone replacing the double bass. It is beautiful and evocative. Songs often flow from one into another with the drums keeping the beat before the other instruments join in. The piano has a classical feel whilst the saxophone has an '80s smooth jazz vibe but it all comes together to create a cinematic, almost post-rock form of jazz, and the drumming is the glue that binds it all together. The ethnic drumming of 'Kudu' makes it feel a bit more freeform. A new track sees effects pedals transforming the sax into something that sounds like a bagpipe before reverting to its usual sound and combining with intricate piano riffs to build to a noisy climax. The frantic chase sequence keys of regular set closer 'The Spinner' are offset by the calm sax whilst the drumming gets increasingly urgent. Excellent.
Mammal Hands ****
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