Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings, Theon Cross & More Concoct On 2-LP ‘London Brew’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

What began as a plan for a live performance at London’s Barbican in honor of the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew in early 2020, inevitably postponed by the pandemic evolved into this massive 2LP project London Brew. As the sessions developed it became clear that though Davis was the initial inspiration, the city itself, its people, and its vibrant jazz scene that has taken on its own singular character in the past couple of decades was equally inspiring. The London blend of electronica and jazz is the 21st-century answer to the pioneering jazz fusion that Davis established fifty years ago. Arguably, the London style is funkier and more danceable. Producer and guitarist Martin Terefe and Executive Producer Bruce Lampcov certainly recruited many of the city’s brightest stars in Nubya Garcia, Shabaka Hutchings, Benji B, Theon Cross, Dave Okumu, Tom Skinner, and more. 

The first LP consists of dizzying, synth-filled psychedelic electronica in “London Brew” and “London Brew – Part 2 – Trains” with Garcia, Hutchings, and Cross murmuring phrases above and below the dense backdrop with rhythms building in intensity as the former develops. The frenetic second piece begins more percussive centric with various jabs from guitar, electric violin, tinkling Fender Rhodes, scratchy synths, and thunderous electric bass with Garcia and Hutchings on various woodwinds playing the roles of Wayne Shorter and Bennie Maupin. As you’ll glean from the personnel list, there is no trumpeter present. The motion ceases about midway through as if we’re transported to some hazy, floating mind-bending destination via various electronic effects.

The second LP opens with the pulsating single “Miles Chases New Voodoo In the Church,” which as most know, Miles’ original, and this one too nod to Hendrix. Garcia, for one, admits to experimenting and using pedals and effects on her horn for this one. As expected, the guitars are prominent as is, perhaps less so, Theon Cross carrying the throbbing bass line on tuba. “Nu Sha Ni Sha Nu Oss Ra” features Garcia and Hutchings blowing a repetitive melody before moving into point-counterpoint mode and freer improvisations as the electronic/acoustic blend develops an infectious groove. “It’s One of These” emits the kind of exhilarating funk we enjoyed with the Hutchings/Cross/Skinner/(Eddie Hick) now defunct Sons of Kemet as Hutchings plays a bass clarinet and Herbert keeps it steady on the double bass. Yet, like some others, it dissolves into mysterious electronica mayhem. 

“Mor Ning” prayer follows the short tone piece “Bassics” and carries similar dizzying electronics as the title tracks found on LP1 although Garcia, Hutchings, and Cross enter to restore some tangibility to the piece midway through. The project’s single “Raven Flies Low,” named for violinist Raven Bush closes.  In some respects, this standout track may directly relate to Miles’ original in that Terefe took its inspiration from “John McLaughlin” and Bush played his violin through electric pedals to create intriguing textures- seemingly a nod to how Davis ran his trumpet through tape delay on the original album.

Except for a few tracks, London Brew, imaginative as it is, doesn’t evoke the level of energy that Miles’ original did. For all we know, though, that could be purposeful as this cast clearly put their own stamp on this project. This writer can still vividly recall the impact of Bitches Brew as jazz-fusion broke through to such iconic FM rock radio in the ‘70s on stations such as WNEW-FM. In today’s world of digital playlists, London Brew can’t possibly have such a monumental effect but kudos just the same. 

Related Content

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter