Nubdug Ensemble: Volume One - The Machines of Zeno

Having just come off my review of Vacuum Tree Head’s final album titled Rhizomique, I was curious to hear what’s next for the band. That has now been answered with the formation of Nubdug Ensemble and their debut album titled Volume One: The Machines of Zeno, released in 2020. Five former members of Vacuum Tree Head involved in the new project include Jason Bellenkes (soprano sax on 1, alto sax on 3, and tenor saxophone on tracks 2, 6, 8, clarinet on 4, 6, 9, and flute on 3, 6, 9), Jason Berry (programming, sound design, keyboards, electronic sounds, additional instrumentation), Myles Boisen (electric guitar on 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, pedal steel and bass guitar on 8, shaker on 6), Amanda Chaudhary (synthesizers, keyboards, electronics) and Amy X Neuburg (vocals on 1. 8, 9). The rest of the band are Sheldon Brown (flute and alto flute on 5, bass clarinet on 9), John Ettinger (violin on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8), Lucy Foley (voice on 3), Paul Hanson (bassoon on 3 and 9), Brett Warren (bass guitar on 1 and 6, fretless bass on 2, 3, 4, 8, 9) and G. Calvin Weston (drums and percussion on 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9).

Like their former band, Nubdug Ensemble delves into some pretty strange soundscapes and unusual arrangements with a high degree of complexity as well as sparser instrumentation. The album is divided into nine tracks with a twenty minute running time so really you can consider this an EP. That said, this is of high quality, some really cool tracks here with the calypso flavoured “Spicy Mango� and the cool electronic driven “Espejo� where the band include some orchestral nuance with outstanding keys, electronics and violin. The off kilter and slightly weird “Bronze Puppet� and the sparse oddness of “Logjammin� with its spacious arrangement and unusual note choices, demonstrate the band’s creative nature.

Sometimes excellence comes in small packages, such is the case with The Machines of Zeno. I look forward to more of the band’s music and if you dig your music outside the ‘normal’ realm you would best check it out. Recommended.

Track Listing:
1. Espejo
2. Bronze Puppet
3. Pimento Boots
4. Spicy Mango
5. Logjammin’
6. Trapelo 445
7. Prelude to Alea lacta Est
8. Alea lacta Est
9. Act II from Nancy Luna

Added: September 2nd 2021
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 766
Language: english

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