‘Petstep’ shows development of intent and execution, and reaffirms Bainbridge’s quartet as skilled masters of dynamic groove
Crossing Styx Records CSX001 / CSX001CD / CSX001LP Kieran McLeod (trombone); Ralph Wyld (vibraphone); Huw V Williams (bass); Luke Bainbridge (drums)
Recorded at Lightship 95, London on 15/16 July 2024
Luke Bainbridge impressed with his debut album ‘Surface Tension’ (2021), which brought a dynamic group sound, mixing contemporary jazz sensibilities with hip-hop rhythms, all layered within an insistent groove. His sophomore release, ‘Petstep’, gives us more – more of the distinct sound we were drawn to in the first place, but also more variation, mixing in subtlety with changes of tone, introducing Bainbridge’s own vocals on one track, and utilising an intriguing compositional framework.
Although Bainbridge was thinking of a second album before the first was released five years ago, the creative catalyst for this work was the death of a family pet and a sense of growing maturity and musical development such that he wanted to lay down new music. Amongst his inspirations he cites the French composer Olivier Messiaen and the rapper MF DOOM, but you also hear more than a touch of Makaya McCraven in the constantly moving textures Bainbridge creates, bound together by the fluidity of his hip-hop beats.
And through it all he employs a palindromic compositional method, where the constraints of song structures guided by symmetry have pushed the music into new territories and led to unexpected areas of creativity. Within the creative process, Bainbridge recognises the vital role of the band, commenting: “the music ultimately took shape through my bandmates. They transformed what was technically difficult into something that was good to play”.
The band is unchanged from the first album with Bainbridge on drums, Kieran McLeod on trombone, Ralph Wyld on vibes and Huw V Williams on bass. “The lineup came together through the serendipity of Covid restrictions”, says Bainbridge. “Living locally, we rehearsed safely outdoors, and working with Huw, Ralph and Kieran helped me develop my own way of writing and playing in band settings.” They all impress individually, but also collectively, creating a sound that is rich in detail and ebbs and flows within the space.
Together, they deliver a heady mix on the opener ’Hell’s Stairwell’ where ringing vibes add a magical edge to Bainbridge’s tireless drum attack, over a thrumming bass and with accented trombone statements. On ’Petstep’, Williams’ insistent bass riff pushes the momentum, urged on by Bainbridge, with Wyld’s vibe runs front and centre. As the heat begins to fade, McCleod ups the temperature again over the repeated bass riff. ‘Hair of the Dog’ is a quieter, more contemplative piece with rounded, softer playing all round, before Bainbridge’s solo picks up to a more energetic groove.
‘Spillage in the Village’ occupies middle position in the set list and is also central to the album’s underlying concept. Inspired by a homebrewing accident, the incident is played out through Bainbridge’s energetic rap vocals that bristle with attitude. The repeated opening mantra “You’ll end up finishing where you started” points to the palindromic approach that runs through the album, with the band here at their most open. It sounds like an unlikely recipe for the album’s first single, but it really works and this is the track I found myself most frequently returning to on the album.
In contrast, ‘It’ll Pass’ plays out as a ballad with a melody edged in beauty, outlined first on bass then on trombone over gently rippling vibes – delightful. The final two pieces neatly mirror the first two, with similar titles but very different in character. ‘Septstep’ picks up the repeated riff from ‘Petstep’, but is here played on vibes, leading to an extended trombone workout. ‘Well Farewell’ feels similar in structure to the opener and from quiet beginnings slowly heats up to a fitting conclusion.
As a second album ‘Petstep’ shows development of intent and execution, and reaffirms Bainbridge’s quartet as skilled masters of dynamic groove.
