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<\/center>\nThree Minute Tease \u2013 <\/strong>Bite the Hand<\/strong><\/em>
\nA few years ago, American expatriate Anton Barbeau<\/strong><\/a> relocated to Germany, and then he commandeered Robyn Hitchcock<\/strong><\/a>‘s old band mates Andy Metcalfe<\/strong> (bass) and Morris Windsor<\/strong> (drums); the resulting trio serves up some fine dark-hued powerpop. On their latest, Bite the Hand<\/em>, they’re joined (on vocals) by wonderful husband-and-wife team Khoi Hunyh<\/strong> and Karla Kane<\/strong> from The Corner Laughers<\/strong><\/a>, and on one track, the legendary and still-active Keith Allison<\/strong><\/a> (Paul Revere and the Raiders<\/strong><\/a>) on guitar. But it’s Barbeau’s voice songs at the center of it all, from the anthemic opener of \u201cBravely Fade Away\u201d right through to the end.<\/p>\n
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<\/center>\nDewa Budjana \u2013 <\/strong>Surya Namaskar<\/strong><\/em>
\nThough Budjana’s Indonesian, listeners won’t hear much in the way of \u201cworld music\u201d on this progressive\/fusion outing. Featuring former Frank Zappa<\/strong><\/a> drummer Vinnie Colaiuta<\/strong> and sought-after session bassist Jimmy Johnson<\/strong>, this is a melodic trip through the instrumental progjazz world. The influence of John McLaughlin<\/strong><\/a> is one Budjana wears on his sleeve (and, as the gatefold photo shows, on his chest as well; I have the same t-shirt). The album occasionally sounds like mid 70s Jean-Luc Ponty<\/strong><\/a> sans<\/em> violin. Stinging guitar runs and knotty bass figures atop crackling drums makes this electric outing a delight for fans of the genre.<\/p>\n
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\nThe Group \u2013 <\/strong>The Feed-back<\/strong><\/em>
\nHere’s a very strange \u2013 and until now, extremely rare \u2013 album: an avant-garde noisefest featuring Ennio Morricone<\/strong> (yeah, the spaghetti western soundtrack composer). But this sounds nothing like the soundtrack from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly<\/em>. This collective of composer\/players officially bore the moniker Gruppo di Improvvisazione di Nuova Consonanza, hence the shortened Il Gruppo<\/strong> (\u201cThe Group\u201d). Sounding like a cross between Freak Out!<\/em> Mothers<\/strong>, Can<\/strong>, and The United States of America<\/strong><\/a>, it’s a weird yet wonderful foray into the outer reaches. It’s also not miles away from the kind of thing you’d hear on Bitches Brew<\/em>.<\/p>\n
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