The Bell

Percussionist Ches Smith has played on over half a dozen Xiu Xiu releases, but in recent years he's been consistently active on the contemporary jazz circuit, playing with guitarist Mary Halvorson, saxophonist Tim Berne, and others. His first album as a composer and bandleader on the iconic ECM label burns with a subtle heat.

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Ches Smith, Craig Taborn and Mat Maneri defy easy categorisation, combining jazz, improv and classical elements with tautness and spontaneity