Supermodel Supermodel

After hearingLunge's first CD, West Coast-based percussionist Gino Robair invited British trombonist Gail Brand to spend a few days -- and play a few shows -- in the U.S. What he had in mind was this quintet, which first convened in Myles Boisen's studio on February 1, 2002. A second session took place two months later, then a final one in August 2003, two months after bassist Matthew Sperry's untimely death. Supermodel Supermodel (every track title consists of a supermodel's first name, repeated) was assembled from those three sessions and features an assortment of trio, quartet, and ensemble pieces. Something clearly clicked between the American guys and the U.K. gal. Tim Perkis' electronics, John Shiurba's electric guitar, and Robair's various instruments (in addition to percussion, he also plays horns, Styrofoam, and faux dax on this album) partly invade each other's sonic territory, blurring the distinctions between instrumentalists. The same is true between guitar/bass and trombone/electronics, as "Twiggy Twiggy" demonstrates. Improvisations are kept rather short (under ten minutes) and unfold naturally, reaching an often surprising but always "complete" ending. Supermodel Supermodel does not consistently nail you to your seat, but it works out on various levels: as a solid group effort, as a welcome addition to Gail Brand's short discography (she is underrated on the London scene), and as a late testimony to Sperry's creativity and flair. ~ Francois Couture|