Words by Justin Turford
To say I was excited about this evening is an understatement but I didn’t expect the glorious chaos that ensued! Two musical communities that have done as much as anyone to recharge jazz and attract a new generation to radical genre-defying music came together in the beautiful wooden surrounds of the main hall in the Barbican. The superb Chicago label International Anthem and the inspirational collective/space/studios of the Total Refreshment Centre (TRC) combined their energies for a show that will long be talked about. An evening of song and sounds, of celebration, earthly pleasures, new friendships and utopian dreams that continued well into the next day.
Before the gig even began the vibrant welcoming heart of this collection of musical misfits and dreamers was apparent. In the auditorium Rosie Turton (who I missed) and tyroneisaacstuart performed to a solid and attentive crowd. The second performance entailed spoken word, basic channel x heavy filtered dub x noise experiments, saxophone and a surprise guest in the form of Theon Cross. Heavy thinking, heavy manners. Very good futuristic shamanic work indeed. During this moment, I managed to grab a hug and a chat with the mystic Mancunian, TRC friend and International Anthem artist Alabaster DePlume, who, bless him, left a sweet note inside of my copy of his acclaimed new album ‘Gold’. A delicious start to the evening.
After a rapturous roar from the crowd and an intro from the writer and broadcaster Tina Edwards, a boiler suited, beanie hat wearing Jeff Parker took the stage. One guitar, two amps, shitloads of effects, one man. It was an utterly hypnotising set, from virtuosic playfulness to unbelievably intense ambience, the extended harmonic drone piece a highlight of the set for me. All of the artists were bound by shortened sets so they all had to showcase their particular attributes and energies in a compressed time and for me Jeff Parker’s contribution was his mesmeric tonality. I’m a convert.
Ben LaMar Gay hit the stage next. The man and his table of musical toys and trusty cornet are flanked by a guitarist, sousaphone player and his collaborator on his new album ‘Certain Reveries’ - Tommaso Moretti. As he mentions himself, ‘this is ancient shit’, and he lets those ancient spirits loose. This was psychedelic, earthy, weird-funky, inviting, hypnotic and wild. The new record is apparently inspired by a Nigerian market but at times, it reminded me of NOLA Mardi Gras Indian voodoo shit, at others the Brazilian jungle colliding with a deconstructed holler of Southern blues. The ringing of hand church bells into the drummers funk break took the breath out of the room after the humorous spectacle of the build up. The best performance of the night if I had to choose. More happened in that 25 minutes than I can possibly describe.
During a brief interlude I was lucky enough to befriend Frank Rosaly and Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti (they will have an album out with International Anthem in 2023), it was that kind of night! I grabbed a drink and ran back in for the High Priestess herself, the invincible Angel Bat Dawid. As always, she was present behind her table of the bizarre and bazaar, synths, wind and brass instruments, her microphone the connection between her incantatory voice and the worshipping audience. She was joined by representatives of the UK’s best with Cassie Kinoshi on sax, Theon Cross on tuba of course and Asher Gamedze on percussion and drums. Spells were woven and she was the mistress of her stage. Her connection with the early days of jazz resonates through her clarinet playing, the future through her teeth work on the synth. To me, International Anthem represents a beautiful and lawless freedom and Angel is most definitely their queen, discipline is not the destination, surprise, deep emotion and soulful innovation is what you get.
A brief moment of remembrance. A moving and intimate video of the sadly departed International Anthem artist jaimie branch at work and play was shown on the two flanking screens. An emotional moment for many I’m sure, she was a significant part of both of these communities after all. I spotted Frank Rosaly in the film, he was jaimie’s drummer during the period of the film and he and Ibelisse both mentioned their tears during the screening. Love is at the root here in the great hall.
The force of nature that is Alabaster DePlume bounds onto the stage next alongside his seven piece band. A chorus of voices to start with, his sax a pipe of celestial gorgeousness. Dreamlike…
‘We haven’t got long but I’m glad I’m doing it with you and you. I fucking love doing this shit!’. - Alabaster
If you thought Angel was a bit wild and unfocussed, Alabaster’s set came across as a celebratory after party jam at a festival. Aside from the haunting beauty of ‘Mrs Calamari’ and ‘Don’t Forget You’re Precious’ from his Gold LP, spontaneity was the force. I’m not entirely sure whether some of the band had played with Alabaster before but it just about held its shape. His irresistible energy and proclamations of love to the audience and to his band members was infectious. In many ways, this was a call to arms and the room responded. Running over time but without a care, they were finally joined by every musician that had played during the night for a raucous send off which left me smiling and glowing inside with a great warmth. Jazz has many shapes and shades but this was a witnessing of new forms. A show for the ages.
The celebration wasn’t over though. Some went on into the early hours back in the (seriously) ungentrified space of the TRC in Stoke Newington but I joined them at about 1pm for ostensibly a quadraphonic listening session of the new Dezron Douglas record ‘ATALAYA’ (on International Anthem). It was really a bleary-eyed and gentler part two of the previous evening. Many of the musicians were present alongside many talented and friendly folk of the weirdo music ecosystem like Bex Burch, Ruth Goller, Oli and Miguel from Colectivo Futuro. There were neuroscientists, PR and press bods like me, writers, and Scottie from International Anthem locked into the kitchen making pancakes for everyone. Hugs and chats, music and nonsense. It’s a rare pleasure to be welcomed and included into another’s universe like this. Inspired? Oh yes….