Adios review: Kulturni magazin

Wow, the Wheel is treading! Despite all the strange attributes of noise, flight, improvisation, etc. it all comes together in a hellishly shaped sense! The wheel = wheel. Martin Archer prepared it nicely for us. Perhaps he will never get involved in the publishing deeds of his Discus Music. Whether he releases unique recordings by Keith Tippett, the impro-varied multi-ensemble Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere (Theta One to the recent Theta Five) or Das Rad, where Archer ubiquitously works with saxophones, synths with bass and keyboards. Two years after the debut of this duo, Nick Robinson’s psychedelic, thick-colored guitar really calls the saga an order of magnitude even more!

The improvisational trio from Sheffield works on an electro-freejazz basis. This is most evident in the twelve-minute introductory Inside Reverse, in which the layered / interleaved / rises / interweaves of the motif lines of various guitars (pure and broken effects) and saxophones (as well) with additional keyboards and sampled noises. Everything is hypnotically held at first by the almost imperceptible, sneering, coloring drums of Steve Dinsdale, but in the thickened instrumental gradation of the composition, they start the rhythm like a hellish machine. He will start in the subsequent Buzz Line without introductory phrases.

Which is an oak-jazz affair, where the bike steps on one riff under beautiful saxophone plays, urgent, intricately refined, it forces itself to sway in rhythm, at the same time to fly in fantasy. But you won’t have time to take off, because it will end soon and Deuce of Gears makes you think of the space between “pleasant” notes and noise. The title Adios Al Futuro is then with looped echoes of the electric piano, a chopped guitar and an ethereal baritone saxophone connecting these two musical poles previously introduced – harmonious playfulness to simple imagination versus flight in all directions into the complete noise unknown. Oslo Star then goes on a guitar hypno trip à la Fripp and Tiefes Blau closes the whole thing, in unexpected improvisational variations of instruments and chords. No template, construct, but permanent tension.

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Jon Short

Starting with proto jazz-rockers March the Third and playing cello on a Pulp single, Jon Joined Nick in the 80s for a promising outfit called “Harriet”, with a singer who later wrote for Tina Turner and won awards. 

Sadly it fell through and Jon formed Deep Sky Divers, a feted ambient duo. 

Chosen by Das Rd not only for his consummate playing but also because his surname matched a letter from the band acronym!

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Nick Robinson

His early musical career included Typhoon Saturday, (who spawned chart-toppers “Living in a Box”)  who had a deal with Polydor and released 3 singles to minimal success.

Another band was Dig Vis Drill. Those that saw them in the early 80’s felt this band were destined for greatness. They had a unique and awesome sound, a live act second to none, they were confrontational, challenging, intelligent and fronted by motor-mouth Ogy McGrath, a cross between Woody Allen and Attila the Hun.

From the mid 80s, Robinson began to explore improvised music (supporting Archer’s band “Bass Tone Trap” at a local gig). His path led to his current main activity performing and recording solo, looped guitar soundscapes. 

You can check out his discography on his site, along with extensive information, audio, video and a blog covering midi, ableton and live looping amongst other topics. You can find more of his music on his Bandcamp page and his solo CD was released by Discus Music in 2022, attracting rave reviews from Adrian Belew, Steve Hackett and others.

Robinson and Archer had played a variety of gigs together in different formations so when Martin suggested bringing drummer Steve Dinsdale into the mix, Das Rad was born, later to be augmented by his old musical sparring partner Jon on bass.

Nick is one of England’s only professional origami artists, with over 100 books on the subject to his name.

Steve Dinsdale

Drummer/Keyboardist cut his teeth on the Teesside and Sheffield music scenes  before moving to London in the late 80’s. Drummed with Honey Smugglers who recorded indie-classic single `Listen’ in 1990, and who are still asked regularly to appear on period compilations.

Joined T.V. Eye alongside ex-members of Eat and future celebrity-botherer and `Game Of Thrones’ star Paul Kaye. Gave up dreams of stardom after returning from holiday to find that said singer had gone off to live on a Kibbutz, and the guitarist was suddenly number one in the charts with a record he’d arranged for an unknown female singer with an eye patch.

Formed electronic improvising trio Radio Massacre International playing keyboards, electronics and drums with oldest friends and collaborators Duncan Goddard and Gary Houghton, who over a 25-year career have played dozens of concerts in the UK, Europe and USA as well as appearing on an MTV Europe co-host. The discography currently stands at some 60 or more releases including a trio of albums for acclaimed US label Cuneiform, and five solo albums made over the last ten years.

Performed as Drummer and/or Floor Percussionist with the Damo Suzuki Network on some half dozen occasions, one of which has led to a number of collaborations with Martin Archer including Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere which was founded in 2009 and has since made four albums, and Engine Room Favourites the 10-piece Jazz ensemble.

And now…Das Rad.