It’s a good time to be a Portishead fan even if the group as a whole has been in deep hibernation for nearly a decade. In May, singer Beth Gibbons released her wonderful solo debut Lives Outgrown, and Beak>, the trio that includes Geoff Barrow, released their fourth and best album yet. Now comes Adrian Utley, whose new group 137 have announced their debut album, Strangeness Oscillation, which will be out July 31 via Noetic.
137 are a jazz quartet with a formidable lineup: saxophonist and flutist Larry Stabbins, who was a member of post-Young Marble Giants group Weekend, has played with Robert Wyatt, Tracy Thorn and as part of Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra; drummer Sebastian Rochford, who was a founding member of Sons of Kemet and leads UK jazz group Polar Bear; and bassist Jim Barr, who played in Portishead’s live band.
Here’s what they say about Strangeness Oscillation: “After ten years at sea, the first thing Larry Stabbins did when he hit dry land was to call Adrian Utley and Jim Barr – within days they were in the studio with Sebastian Rochford. The resulting debut album ‘Strangeness Oscillation’ is a collection of completely improvised recordings that captures the ferocity and fragility of these four players unique combined voice.”
You can listen to the album’s funky, groovy and skronky opening cut, “First Idea Part One,” now.
137 have a couple UK live dates in July, playing Bristol’s Exchange on 7/29 and London’s The Lexington on 7/31.
Strangeness Oscillation:
1. First Idea Part One
2. Bass Clarinet One
3. Bad Ass
4. Ade’s Tune
5. Two Base Flute
6. Drum and Sax
7. Trichotomy Book
8. First Idea Part Two