Australian trio Trichotomy are on track to becoming contemporary jazz superstars. Combining their excellent lyricism alongside energy levels higher than a child on Christmas Day, previous albums Variations and The Gentle War finally gave them ones-to-watch status after a gruelling 13 years together. Uniquely the band cite influences from Aphex Twin to John Zorn; a truly diverse range that is reflected in their eclectic discography.

Fact Finding Mission stands out as 2013’s poster-boy album for experimentalism and diversity. The title track is emotionally evocative and arguably the most abstract on the album, its chaotic sound devilishly concocted from Chinese gongs and distorted bowed bass, with samples cleverly incorporated which can be compared to those used in the Black Keys’ ‘240 Years Before Your Time’. ‘Lullaby’ is starkly dissimilar to any other track on the album, remarkably soft and soothing, written for the children that two of the members have produced since the release of the last album. The album shows every shade of Trichotomy, the upbeat ‘Strom’ vigourously contrasting to dark closing track ‘Brick by Brick’ which draws on elements of Eastern European folk melodies coupled with captivating freely improvised elements.

Overall, a compelling and a diverse release Fact Finding Mission makes you hope sincerely the trio can find whatever it is they’re hunting for. The album does supply some facts itself: the main being that jazz can cite the contemporary influences as well as the classical. Trichotomy can easily appeal to all age ranges and emotions and that too is a remarkable fact in itself.

 

6/10

Naim Jazz

Words: Dom Edge