Raw Fish – Crudo

R

Loumi Records

This album sounds as if it was fun to make and it's certainly a lot of fun for the listener.

Raw Fish are Danish guitarist Teis Semey and Italian drummer Giovanni Iacovella, both of whom add improvised electronics. They're joined by guests on saxes, bass clarinet and vocals for this debut album. "Crudo" manages to cram a wide-screen musical universe into just 19 minutes, making more impact than many albums do in 60 minutes plus - it makes a compelling case for short albums.

Each of the eight tracks has its own sonic feel, ranging from improvised thrash metal to Brazilian songcraft with a discordant slant. 'Stroganina' kicks things off with a strong guitar hook over stream-roller drums and glitchy electronics, leading into a thrilling guitar solo which somehow manages to combine the feel of early U2 with Alan Holdsworth virtuosity, without sounding remotely awkward. 'Interlude' moves us briefly into ambient territory with misty harmonies drifting through distant cloisters before 'Funeral (revised again)' offers slow twanging guitar alongside rattling low-fi drums building to an emotional electronic climax. 'Sea Sausage' is a variation on the same musical material, combining a clever orchestration of synths and treated samples with a superb sax solo by guest David Binney.

Singer Marta Arpini arrives on 'Carpaccio Martini', her sample-treated wordless vocal leading a gentle Brazilian flavoured tune, Frederico Calcagno adding bass clarinet with a surprisingly Stan Getz flavour. 'Cevicheria' is a short 5/8 jam with Sonic Youth style guitar and drums then Marta rejoins for the haunting song 'It was nice to get to know you'. The tune and harmonies have a Jobim flavour, undercut by Zappa style fast drum breaks in an unrelated groove. Finally 'Do sardines come from Sardinia?' offers beautifully off-kilter rhythms, pentatonic synth themes with marimba and whistle impressions and a nice sax solo from Nicoló Ricci.

A really enjoyable album which mixes familiar ingredients in unexpected ways.

© Stephen Godsall

Musicians:
Teis Semey – guitar, MPC, drum machine
Giovanni Iacovella – drums, live electronics

Track list
1. Stroganina 03:20
2. Interlude 00:56
3. Funeral (revised, again) 03:02
4. Sea Sausage (feat. David Binney) 01:56
5. Carpaccio Martini (feat. Marta Arpini and Federico Calcagno) 01:52
6. Cevicería 01:04
7. It Was Nice To Get To Know You (feat. Marta Arpini) 04:39
8. Do Sardines Come From Sardinia? (feat. Nicoló Ricci) 02:01

BANDCAMP
Loumi Records
https://loumirecords.com/product/crudo/