Ear Trumpet Presents: Get The Blessing, Standing show (with some unreserved seats) at Strange Brew, 10-12 Fairfax St, BS1 3DB - Ages 14+ (Under 18's to be accompanied by a responsible adult)

7:00pm - Doors
7:40pm - Million Seller
8:45pm - Get The Blessing
10:00 - Event Ends

Formed in 1999 by bassist Jim Barr and drummer Clive Deamer, best known as the rhythm section of seminal act Portishead, award-winning Bristolian jazz-rock disruptors ‘Get The Blessing’ are proud to present their seventh studio album. ‘Pallet’ which was released on October 20th.

Like most artists around the world, the pandemic forced the ensemble to rethink their creative processes. Born from a series of improvisations between Barr, Pete Judge on trumpet and Jake McMurchie on saxophone, the trio built up a rough portfolio of recordings which they then sent to Deamer, who added his drum parts at home in Oxfordshire. The result is nine minimalist compositions driven by groove, texture, electronics and spontaneity.

Built around the hypnotic loops that have become synonymous with their sound, Pallet is an exploration of the nexus of improvisation and modern production. Grounded by thick, punchy basslines and playful drum grooves, the record creates deep sonic spaces through the use of dizzying delays, squelching filtered loops, and trails.

The album’s title owes much to the obtuse punning jazz musicians have enjoyed since the 50’s; the song titles conjure up an imaginary color chart with which the listener can fill in the paint-by-numbers image of a wooden pallet on the cover art.

For over two decades Get The Blessing have been growing their truly international fanbase, touring across the world in the UK, USA, Canada, Dubai, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Turkey, and Ukraine.

Million Seller

Million Seller is the new album and project led by Matt Calvert, one of the founding members of the underground alt-rock sensation Three Trapped Tigers. The inspiration for the project originated as Matt revisited his collection of early 70s releases by Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi group – some of the pianist’s most overlooked and least understood albums – 50 years on from that band’s last release (Sextant, 1973).

“The concept of Million Seller was to create a contemporary sound with similar elements to the Mwandishi band, putting the electronics and percussion at the forefront, merging organic and synthetic.” Mwandishi (originally a sextet, later a septet with added electronics) had three horn players: Million Seller has none, instead using three synth players: Calvert himself is joined by Ståle Storløkken of free-form experimental legends Supersilent, and by the unclassifiable improvisor Matthew Bourne. The rest of this supergroup line-up is completed by drummer Dave Smith, who brings his comprehensive knowledge of the Gambian tradition of Sabar drumming alongside his extensive jazz background, and a trio of guest musicians: Mamadou Sarr on sabar and djembe drums, Kadialy Koudate on kora, and Sam Wilson on contemporary percussion. The results are a striking fusion of ancient and modern sounds, of heavy yet playful synth interactions topped by driving acoustic percussion, of wild improvisation mixed with moments of ambient beauty, all creating a sonic identity that’s every bit as unique, wide-ranging and unforgettable as its inspiration.

eartrumpet

Entry requirements: 14+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio — Read more — Read less