Album Review: BADBADNOTGOOD, Talk Memory

After nearly two years of being unable to gig, psychedelic jazz ensemble BADBADNOTGOOD have reunited for Talk Memory, an album built around collaboration and improvisation.

On opener  ‘Signal From The Noise’ – a nine-minute epic where piano skips intricately around guitar and sax – the group again show they don’t mess around. The saxophone truly has its moment on the free jazz-inspired ‘Unfolding’, which features American multi-instrumentalist Laraaji. One of the most exciting aspects of the album is the way it spotlights different instruments – whether it’s strings on ‘Beside April’, or flute on ‘Time Intimidating’.

Closer ‘Talk Meaning’ finds the quartet joined by (Kendrick Lamar and Kamasi Washington collaborator) Terrace Martin; harpist Brandee Younger; and composer Arthur Veroca. It’s an intense, frenzied finish, but Talk Memory is never too busy. Rather, it’s a polished piece of work, which salutes the beauty in spontaneity.

8/10