– THE MILITARY COUP –

I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the most famous band from Austin, Texas to mix Middle Eastern, American Jazz and Latin American sounds (and quote probably the only band to do so) Atlas Maior have released their fifth studio album Riptide.

And I’m also go out on a limb here and suggest that it’s their most coherent and compelling listen yet.

The title track is placed second on the album and plays very much into the band’s signature sound with the ouds playing a prevalent part but the alto sax taking the lead.

The album from which Riptide comes is a hugely diverse mix of tempos and moods – from the jovial, light-heartedness of Misirlou-soundalike Nastaran to the epic drama of Oryx.

But this track balances it all out with a bit of everything.

Here, the shivering ouds of Charlie Lockwood and Josh Peters create a foreboding atmosphere before Joshua Thomson’s alto sax blends Middle Eastern scales with those of progressive jazz to create an urgent melody over the top.

“Riptide is a song about healing and about one’s desire to bring waves of peace to those who are in pain or struggling through difficulties” says Thomson. “I also think the song represents wanting to be sometimes washed out to sea, or to have your pain washed away.”

Riptide is self-released and out now.

MORE FROM THIS WEEK’S MIX

KOJAQUE: FLU SHOT
JOE ARMON-JONES: ICY ROADS (STACKED)
NERIJA: RIVERFEST
NICK MURPHY: SOME PEOPLE

P.S. You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –