Short Reviews [Ultraphauna - 2023 - "No No No No"]

Here we have the debut album by duo music of Timba Harris (violin) and Dorothy Wave (vocals, keyboards) who extended to a quartet with the addition of Toby Driver (bass) and Joel Murray (drums). All four of these musicians have a long history in the RIO and avant scene, being involved in the likes of Estradasphere, Secret Chiefs 3, a.P.A.t.T., Kayo Dot, Extra Life, Duo Probosci, Barberos, Grails, Tzadik Composer Series and others, so even before listening to this one has a good idea what the style of music is going to be like (plus it has been released by Dur et Doux, always a great clue). Ten songs with a playing time of more than an hour, this is music which switches from soundscapes to music which is more direct, often with Timba at the driving heart, melodic yet always striving to push boundaries, never satisfied but always searching for the next musical adventure. Perhaps surprisingly, given the history of those involved, this is a very easy to get inside on the very first time of play and it only gets better with repeated listenings. It could never be described as being commercial, yet there is something here which is compelling, and repeated hooks and styles brings us deep inside their world. At times it is almost oriental, with the sliding violin and fuzzed bass with xylophone keyboards on “Summoning The Maker” taking us deep into Japan. There are multiple layers within the arrangements, yet there is also a large use of space so we never feel as if it is too much, never too overpowering, with plenty of room for us to be inside and investigate. The label says to file this under prog pop, avant rock, avant pop, prog rock, and while some of those are often associated with Dur et Doux it is indeed rare to see “pop”. For fans of the above labels, plus RIO, this is a very enjoyable debut, and it will be interesting to see where their journey takes them.