Lean Left are something of an avant-garde supergroup, comprising as they do Terrie Ex, Paal Nilssen-Love, Andy Moor and Ken Vandermark. They lean so left of the leftfield they’re practically out of the frame with this crazed jazz-based cachophony recorded in Italy in 2012. the first piece, ‘Traitors Head’ is a wild burst of discord that flies in all directions simultaneously for a full 17 and a half minutes. If anti-rhythmic free jazz ain’t you’re bag, then you’d better get out, and fast, because there are five further tracks with a combined running time of about an hour and nothing resembling even a flicker of a tune to be found amidst the chaos.
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Flailing saxophones and clarinet battle for supremacy against thrashing drums while Ex (left guitar) duels with Moor (right guitar). You can tell from the hyped playing that these guys are just totally vibed to be performing together, even if to the less appreciative ear it sounds like they’re all just doing their own thing regardless.
Oftentimes with live recordings it’s a truism that it was better if you were there. In this instance, though, if this isn’t your thing, not being there would be an immense relief.
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