Surface

As Quicksails, Ben Billington makes a sort of electro-acoustic ambient jazz that resembles little else, fusing live instrumentation with analog and touch-sensitive synthesizers. Surface features guest appearances by saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi, who has an endless discography of solo and collaborative improvisations, in addition to playing with groups ranging from post-hardcore collective the Armed to modern classical ensemble Wild Up. Billingtons electronics sway, cluster, and smash into each other, sometimes forming drifting rhythms, and sometimes erupting in tonal bursts. Of the albums more playful moments, "Lost Breath" has agitated, jumpy noises over a serene choral bed, and "Chat Laugh" has funny tones that squirm and scramble. "Sightless Squid" is far more chaotic, with a yelling voice trapped inside a maze of fried synth blasts. "All of Alex" (dedicated to the late Alejandro Morales, drummer for Chicago bands such as Running) is a gorgeous showcase for Shiroishis graceful saxophone playing, which seems to gradually smooth out Billingtons synth eruptions. "Hope Slide," also with Shiroishi, is a much calmer meditation that feels like a new age palate cleanser after the albums busier pieces, particularly the joyous free jazz splatter of "Piss + Moan." Quicksails sonic world is whimsical, spontaneous, and cathartic, and Surface is a truly vivid expression. ~ Paul Simpson