Name: Do by Shank
Brand: Shank
SKU: 881390256525
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 3.5 (77 reviews)

ALBUM

Do is the result of a collaboration between the Berlin-based instrumental groove band Shank and Nonplace owner/producer Burnt Friedman. The six-piece group is a jam band in the same vein as vintage Medeski, Martin & Wood, Metalwood, or HiM, with a touch of Jaga Jazzist (i.e., laid-back grooves with a touch of funk and a pinch of post-Bitches Brew Miles Davis). The sessions for Do were conducted by Friedman, who later edited and -- or so it seems -- reassembled the tunes. The result is pretty seamless and, if it weren't for the occasional intentionally jerky hi-hat cut-up (particularly in the ninth piece) and some dub treatments, Friedman's post-production touch would go largely unnoticed. For the most part the music sounds natural, spontaneous, and exciting. The six members of Shank are resourceful musicians, full of ideas to push a groove jam out of the box and into the left field, without losing track of the beat or frustrating the listener from his or her pleasure. With Friedman at the helm, electronics are more deeply integrated into the music, but it takes the form of dub or space rock elements, more than anything normally associated with the electronica scene -- that is, if you are willing to play along and forget the fact that the whole thing has been reconstructed on a hard drive. The short opener is a very effective hook, presenting most of the elements of the sound, while begging for further development. That development soon comes, taking various forms, from raucous vamps to atmospheric trumpet-led tunes and more experimental tracks (numbers ten and 11, in particular). If both Shank and Friedman had dared to experiment a little further, Do might actually be more striking. As it is, it lacks a bit of character, but still offers an enjoyable ride. ~ François Couture