JAZZ FUNK NOMO Fish Fry at the Jazz Bar, Edinburgh, Sat 21 Oct
How they’re going to fit everyone on stage we don’t know, but this set by Detroit octet (plus guest players) Nomo should be one to look forward to. Continuing the new Jazz Bar’s ever-growing resurgence as the home of jazz, funk, Latin and all related styles - and the regular Fish Fry night’s key role in that - great gigs like this will only help bolster the place’s reputation yet further.
Formed in Michigan by bandleader and saxophonist Elliot Bergman, Nomo’s roots lie in the Afrobeat sound most legendarily exemplified by Fela Kuti, although the American free jazz sound of John Coltrane et al and an element of electronica also find their way into their style, the latter a throwback to the later work of free jazz figureheads like Miles Davis. Releasing their first long-playing record in 2004, this year’s second album
world.‘
New Tones confirms Nomo to be a tight and funk- fuelled outfit, whose dynamic, intelligent take on a variety of styles is contributory to their growing reputation among the leftfield press and radio stations in their home country.
Formed initially as a jam project between Bergman and a bunch of fellow young University of Michigan graduates, the Ann Arbor outfit started to take things more seriously very quickly, and since then, a distinctive and learned repertoire has emerged. That’s not to say they’re just for the jazz purists, mind you. Among their recordings exists a cover of Sun Ra’s ‘Rocket #9’, but they’ve also recorded a version of Joanna Newsom’s ‘The Book of Right On’, the new folk heroine’s work making an unlikely bedfellow with the type of jazz reclamation this big band indulge in. Nevertheless - like all their work - it’s fluid and funky, and refreshingly at odds with the musical heritage of the city Nomo call home. (David Pollock)
TECHNO DUB-STEP KINKY AFRO Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 27 Oct
Kinky Afro turns seven this month. Not bad for a night that started out by accident. Matt Bennett. DJ and one half of the club's promotional team (along with Dougal Perman) explains all.
'We were trying to raise money to send a girl to Africa to work with street kids: she was really into her African drumming. She knew that I was quite into my music. so she asked me to come down with a friend to play music in between big long drumming sessions.‘ he says. 'The night ended up as a success. and after a couple of more support gigs with the drummers. they named it Kinky Afro. pulled back on the drumming and played a lot more music.‘
The club has changed a lot over the years. and this is one of the reasons for its success. claims Bennett. “Whenever new musical developments come along we tend to really embrace them and get quite excited about them. so the passion keeps rolling on. Also. I'm quite a creature of habit, and doing a monthly club fits into my personality. Dougal is another famed creature of habit. so we just plug away in our own wee corner of the
For their birthday celebrations. the club's musical diversity is being aptly showcased with a sound clash between Glasgow's techno king and former Test resident Dave Tarrida and sOuth London's new kid on the dub-step scene, 18-year-old Youngsta. ln Bennett's own words, ‘lt will be quite a unique night.‘ (Sandra Marron)
Name Timo Maas
Occupation DJ/Producer Location Hanover, Germany What’s the script? Unlike many of today’s producers who spent their playtimes twiddling knobs and became superstars before the school bell rang, Timo Maas took a longer path to success. enduring years working for German Telecom before being able to write and play music professionally. Inspired by the city sounds brought to his country farm via the airwaves. Maas got a set of decks and started DJing at house parties for his mates during his teens.
Those were the days - swigglng stolen vodka and chucking cheesy wotslts at the giris you fancied. What next? The parties took on a more underground vibe when Maas started playing at raves dotted about Germany and was asked to play more gigs after some early releases started to make an impact around mainland Europe and in the UK. He's flirted with commercial success. including a couple of high chart entries. but it's in the clubs where this type of music really comes into its own. The chunky riffs, catchy hooks and funked up. head nodding basslines of Maas and his production partner Martin Butterich can round up a crowd of sweaty dancing bodies quicker than you can say ‘Azzido Da Bass.’
Not seen the big man round these parts in a while True. This will be his first appearance at The Arches in over three years after spending a lot of time in the studio and working on his Fourszenty Recordings label, nurturing the talents of producers including Locodice. resident at 0010 in Ibiza where Maas hosted a few of his own night/day parties in the summer. It might be more baltic than Balearic, but Glasgow is sure to hold its own when Timo comes to town. (.Jim Mclnnes)
I Timo Maas is appearing at Colours, Arches, Glasgow, Sat 21 Oct
19 Oct—2 Nov THE LIST 31