By Ammar Kalia | Published September 2022
Reflecting the open-eared, collaborative nature of the London-based jazz scene, Flock consists of some of its longstanding and most exciting players, who came together for an improvised recording session in summer 2020.
The resulting 10 tracks make up the group’s eponymous debut, featuring Vula Viel bandleader Bex Burch on gyil and vibes, drummer Sarathy Korwar, Comet is Coming member Danalogue on synths, Maisha pianist Al MacSween and Collocutor bandleader Tamar Osborn on woodwinds. Despite the fact that some of the group had never even met in person before the session, Flock has a remarkably cohesive feel, prioritizing space for breath, ambience and melody throughout.
Opener “Expand” builds a light-touch motif over a tom riff from Korwar, while Danalogue supplements airy textures through synth arpeggios. This wide-ranging scope continues on the bass clarinet rumblings of “Sounds Welcome” and the rhythmic undulations of “It’s Complicated.”
The latter’s 13-minute runtime sees the only instance of the group reaching the cathartic burst of a full-throated crescendo.
While Flock members are right at home in these medium-tempo explorations, the album could ultimately benefit from more risk-taking moments that allow each member to soar. Without challenging its own sense of consistency, the collective feels as if the members are holding back and resisting the pull to play to their full potential.
Flock: Expand, Prepare To Let Go, Sounds Welcome, It’s Complicated, What Purpose, Murmuration, Bold Dream, My Resonance, How Many Are One, Fully Breathed. (67.37)
Personnel: Bex Burch, gyil, vibraphone; Sarathy Korwar, drums, tabla; Danalogue, keyboards; Al MacSween, piano; Tamar Osborn, bass clarinet, flute, soprano sax.
Ordering Info: flock.bandcamp.com
