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Led Bib

Sizewell Tea

Babel BDV2665

The much-anticipated follow-up to Arboretum, Sizewell Tea occupies much the same stylistic ground as the Slam album (sour alto harmonies establish a basic, often relatively perfunctory 'head', explored via scrabbling full-on improvisation that doesn't cleave to the twists and turns of a tricky chord sequence, as much jazz improvisation does, but instead goes straight for the blast), but rather than Satie, takes David Bowie ('Heroes') as its 'guest composer'.

The band's overall sound might remind some listeners of that sadly underrated UK 1980s/90s phenomenon, B Shops for the Poor, though the fact that Led Bib's energy and vitality stem largely from a live drummer (leader Mark Holub, who is at the centre of everything the band does, constantly urging, probing, embellishing) serves to differentiate them from a band that used to rely on a drum machine for its beats.

Textural variety is provided largely by keyboardist Toby McLaren moving between clanking Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano, but Led Bib's considerable appeal is based on a refreshingly straightforward approach: establish an accommodating groove then go for it, taking no prisoners along the way.

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