REVIEWS [f]

Milo Fine, Mick Beck, Paul Hession - 'Motion Ejecta' (Cadence Jazz Records CJR 1164) 2003
Review added 1 Sep 07

Some startling forays and deep conversations with this trio of free noise alchemists all seemingly at their best here. Jazz musicians in the usual sense are renowned for constantly improving with age and in the short four years since this recording Beck and Hession continue to excel themselves in these lands. At the time of writing I have the pleasure of looking forward again to playing drums with tenor and bassoon king Mick Beck, illustrating his giving and supportive role with the upcoming musical community, a sign of a genuine artist. I also have the pleasure soon of hosting Mr. Hession as he plays on Sep 20th with Hand Peter-Hiby down at the Bar Abbey.

Hession's expression is unbridled and possibly unequalled especially in the solo and latter parts of 'Point 1' though it's not easy to tell who's playing as Fine is also on skins in this epic 34mins track. With every trick in his book Hession seems to shrink the kit into pocket size with a dexterity and agility equalling the others on their smaller instruments (Fine also playing clarinet). His renowned fierce determination and unglamorous demeanor has allowed him to get on with the job and get on with it he does, leaving even the best of his contemporaries exiting gigs with a frozen gape. His sheer professional seriousness is evident in this first piece, recorded at Point in Sheffield, on a couple of occasions he takes a few moments in the background allowing Beck and Fine to continue with some of the crazier reed jousting, only to greatly accentuate his breathtaking expressions on returning.

The progression from intense and cerebral epic of 'Point 1' (worthy of a release by itself) through to the slightly more relaxed and colourful Leeds Adelphi gig, which itself concludes with flavours of friendship and reconciliation, is hugely satisfying. This is perhaps the best single recording I've heard so far as a demonstration of how versatile acoustic free music can be.

Milo Fine / Mick Beck / Paul Hession
Blog post on Milo Fine

FTSE100 (Faux01) 2006
Review added April 06

Stark stucatto nightmarish bare bones prog rock n roll on poppers. Hints of Zeppelin major chords then a free dive into jazzy runs. First couple of tracks are like Lightning bolt meets Pat Metheney meets Hella. Bourgeois Pursuits (track 3) has some nifty n nasty joined up goofiness while Hail Hegemony returns for a headbanging skizz across the ballroom floor and back again. The strangely titled '-' is a short visitation to some forward thinking of electronic abstraction hardly providing a break from the adrenalin but takes a quick breath for the final 'Frigid Cities' This is my favorite track, a two note fast continuous guitar repetiton for some two minutes in the middle holds up some hot voodoo drumming describing a postively engaging adventure without the need for cheesy licks. Returning for the latter part of this track to colourful, almost King Crimson scenery this short album is complete. Match this up to any 70's dinasoar rock for sheer inventiveness and lyrical power focus and to any art-noisters on the scene today for originality, confidence and vitality.Visit their site to listen and then send the guys some money for the CD!
www.myspace.com/ftse100