The experimental jazz supergroup SML thrives on spontaneity, having by no means rehearsed collectively. They prioritize the stage, utilizing stay improvisation with audiences to ignite their inventive course of. Following these performances, they retreat to the studio, reworking hours of recorded improvisations into concise and poetic album tracks, a course of facilitated by the truth that every member is a proficient producer in their very own proper.
SML’s newest providing, How You Been, stands as a powerful sequel to their charming debut, Small Medium Massive (2024, Worldwide Anthem). The album is a compilation of six recordings from stay exhibits held between 2024 and 2025, that includes the identical formidable lineup: Anna Butterss on bass, Booker Stardrum on drums and percussion, Jeremiah Chiu dealing with synths, stay sampling, and percussion, Josh Johnson on saxophone and electronics, and Gregory Uhlmann on guitar, results, and sampler.
Collaboration is on the coronary heart of SML’s music, with every participant listening attentively as they contribute. Many band members tackle a number of roles, making it troublesome to pinpoint who performs what at any time. This intertwining might be partly attributed to studio overdubs and edits, that are seamlessly blended with the stay materials; nonetheless, a lot of the magic stems from Chiu’s knowledgeable stay sampling. By capturing the sounds of his bandmates in real-time and looping them, he weaves intricate soundscapes proper on stage. This method permits him to rework fleeting moments into integral components of their compositions, embodying the concept “repetition legitimizes,” as Dave Johnson notes through Adam Neely.
Most tracks on How You Been vary from two to 4 minutes, pushed by a gentle groove ensuing from the mix of Chiu’s analog and modular synths, Stardrum’s drumming, and Butterss’ electrical bass. The textures are enriched by Uhlmann’s guitar and Johnson’s saxophone, which regularly shine by means of with lead strains, solos, and live-sampling inspiration.
A couple of tracks, resembling “Chicago 4,” “Chicago Three,” and “Transferring Walkway,” epitomize a merry-go-round impact. They set up a constant tempo and foundational loops that entrain listeners in a hypnotic approach. Numerous devices could be a part of the combo, but the general dynamics and depth stay regular. “Transferring Walkway” stands out with its easy saxophone and synth solos gliding over a silky drumbeat and wealthy bass line, creating an effortlessly cool ambiance.
“Odd Evens” might be likened to a bottle episode— it encapsulates a self-contained concept inside a centered, succinct monitor. This format permits listeners to discover a extra deconstructed side of the band’s musicality, showcasing the intricate patterns and numerous sounds contributed by the rhythm part.
The album’s zenith might be present in tracks like “Taking out the Trash,” “Daves,” “How You Been,” and “Mouth Phrases,” which seize the quintessential jam band spirit. “Taking out the Trash” ignites the album’s power with Stardrum’s resounding drums and Uhlmann’s vibrant guitar riffs. Right here, Uhlmann’s distinctive guitar strains paired with Butterss’ unwavering bass create tantalizing polytonal textures, whereas Johnson’s saxophone prospers elevate the expertise. (Although, one can not help wishing for extra saxophone moments all through the album.)
For these in want of a breather from vigorous grooves and excessive power, tracks like “Plankton” and “Brood Board SHROOM” present a soothing reset for the nervous system. With a downtempo, spacious really feel, these immersive tracks exude tender bass strains and shimmering synths. “Brood Board SHROOM” — harking back to the album artwork from the Flaming Lips’ Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots— boasts a fantastically crafted synth that’s each rumbling and buoyant. Listening to it conjures photos of a mild big meandering by means of a starlit discipline, with a distant prepare echoing within the background. Its divergence from the remainder of the album makes it virtually unbelievable that it emerged from stay improvisation.
General, How You Been is filled with motion and dense with sound, presenting the quintet on the high of their sport—technically, creatively, and when it comes to their collaboration. Whereas supergroups usually include inflated expectations, SML proves to be an exception, really embodying one thing particular.
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