Departure Lounge

In Session

I've frequently been impressed by Christchurch guitarist Oakley Grenell's various projects, and he introduced this groove-jazz ensemble a few years ago with a cracker of a live album.

But their first studio album, while packed with great musicianship, lacks a bit of continuity.

There's a hotpot of influences here, from salsa and Afrobeat in to dub and breakbeat in Interlude, to swamp blues in Man I Used To Be. The band is at its best when it locks into some good funk grooves, as in Ecuador and Intergalactic, but guest vocalist Mark Vanilau sounds a tad lightweight at times, and the brass sometimes lacks the vibrancy that the Latin-themed tracks demand.

A-Rock blends a noir film soundtrack vibe with Middle Eastern influences and a synth heartbeat, and the bright folk-jazz of Sienna provides a good finale.

Be sure to catch these guys live this summer.

Best tracks: Interlude, Do Whatever

• Reviewed by Nick Ward; CDs for review supplied by Everyman, Nelson.

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