Branches vinyl

It's now been a decade since Finnish combo Black Motor impressed with their eponymous debut album. Numerous impressive albums later, the trio of drummer Simo Laihonen, double bass player Ville Rauhala and saxophonist Tane Kannisto is still growing strong. While they were once fearless exponents of challenging free jazz, Branches is an altogether smokier and more atmospheric affair. While it's clear that there's still plenty of improvisation throughout, the grooves are tidier and the sax lines more evocative, as if they were designed to soundtrack melancholic walks through damp city streets after midnight. It's certainly more accessible to newcomers than some of the work and makes for hugely enjoyable listening.