Say "Hi" to High Pulp

There seem to be quite a few bands around at the moment...

...flirting with jazz and rock, and with an approach suited to the larger ensemble. Snarky Puppy is probably the prime example, and if you've missed them, you've missed a real treat.

Anyway, here's one of the very latest bands of this sort to emerge - High Pulp. 

Hailing from the US West Coast, they've adopted an organic approach to music. Organic in that none of the members actually intended to end up in a band playing jazz, but jazz is essentially what they ended up playing, with the result being a melange of each member's view of that genre. However, there's a lot more to the band than jazz.

They're releasing their third album in July, and this is their second - last year's Pursuit of Ends.

Led by drummer Bobby Granfelt, the band reveals an array of influences on the album, including Sun Ra, early 1970s Miles, more than a touch of Weather Report, and hip hop (mainly down to Granfelt's superb drumming) without compromising on groove and ambience. Along the way, there are hints of psychedelia, electronica, and world music. The horn arrangements are excellent, with the opening of  A Ring on Each Finger especially impressive, as the horns almost seem to chime.

It's very "widescreen" music, with lots of atmospheric synth pads making up an expansive backdrop for the melodies and solos. Occasionally, there's the odd shock - including snatches of Coltrane-style sax and otherworldly discordant harmonies.

What's most satisfying about it is that it constantly surprises - it never settles for too long into any one groove. Something usually comes along to disrupt proceedings - a series of sampled synth stabs, almost sequence-like horn riffing, a new little chord pattern, or a low piano part suddenly appearing in the mix from nowhere.

Here's the band with a live version of the second track, All Roads Lead to Los Angeles.

So, a little jazz, hip hop and electronica all brought together and presented in a form that has a wider appeal, due to its intention to generally rock and groove.

A band to watch...