Continuing on the Gondwana Records theme from Friday, I have been checking out other artists on this label and have found this cracking track from Manchester trio, Mammal Hands; (other previous Gondwana Records features include Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra, GoGo Penguin, Matthew Halsall).
Forming in early 2012 Nick Smart (piano), Jesse Barrett (drums and percussion), and Jordan Smart (saxophones) first whilst busking in Norwich. Instantly drawn to each other’s open approach to music making and their shared love for electronic, contemporary classical, world and jazz music, the bands influences include Steve Reich, Bonobo, Pharoah Sanders and The Cinematic Orchestra, alongside elements of North Indian and African music,
Playing together previously as an electronica duo, brothers Nick and Jordan were joined by drummer Jesse and their sound then entered into another rhythmic dimension. After studying with tabla maestro Sirishkumar, Jesse Barrett’s gained knowledge and understanding of Indian Classical music allowed him to explore intricate and complex rhythmic patterns which are less commonly heard in the western world, these rhythms giving their sound a very unique edge.
The bands latest album ‘Floa’ was released at the end of last month and features the very hypnotic sounds of today’s song, ‘Hourglass.’ I particularly like the way this track builds on layers of undulating melodies and delicate hand-played drum rhythms, all of which gather slowly with effortless precision. When the full pelt of the drums kick in, the pace really steps up and for me the rhythmic dynamics of this song are definitely one of my highlights, I love drumming like this! Listen above.
Grab your copy of ‘Floa’ from here
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