A little less wild than contemporary percussion and sax outfits, there’s still a heavy pulse of excitement when listening to the free form wails and wallops of Counter and Forrester. There’s a bit more guidance in the structures at work here, deviating slightly from the zaniness of Flahtery or Colbourne — but the showmanship of Forrester’s alto saxophone is on par with those blow-hards (and that’s a compliment). I miss walking into shadowy holes in the wall in my old Ballard home to hear jazz this ripe with energy and enthusiasm. People playing for the love of a neglected sound, but it’s captured on tape here without missing that adrenaline rush or the coolness one feels in the moment. Small Scale is quickly amassing a catalog of new kids that can help bring jazz and underground culture together. It doesn’t have to be all synths and drones my friends.
More about: Bryan Counter & Satchel Forrester
