Shiver — Shiver Meets Matthew Bourne Volume 2

Here’s a track CD that sits 'n' drifts between atmospheric rock-based improv, piano / Moog-based improv, and general improv-fired ambience ‘n’ wondering jam. The release covers a fair few moods & tones, making for a decidedly eventful & varied ride.

The album was recorded in Airedale, Yorkshire in the summer of 2021- in between lockdowns. It brings together Shiver- the trio of Andy Champion- Electric Bass, Joost Hendrickx- drums, and Chris Sharkey- Electric Guitar/ live processing/ production.  They are joined by respected British pianist Matthew Borne- Piano/ Linn-Advanced Memory Moog.

The release appears on UK’s Discus Music- been presented in a sparse mini card gatefold, taking in minimal black texts against a plain pink background. This pro-pressed CD comes in an edition of 500 copies - drop by here to snag a copy. 
 
We open with the shortest track here “Chromakode” coming in at seven minutes & nineteen seconds. And this a decidedly chilling & moody start to proceedings- with evenly bounding keys, cold guitar scaping, uneasy percussive detail, and disquieting bass tones. It sounds like a slowly but surely becoming more deranged take on Howard Shore’s soundtrack for David Cronenberg’s Crash. Moving on we have “Pasadena Gravy” which finds indie fuzzed melodic guitar tones swimming with lightly electro seared bass rumbles, ambient glide ‘n’ simmer, and gently building/ rustling/ shifting percussive detail.
 
The album plays out with the longest track the nearing nineteen-minute “Cactus & Roulette”. It starts with a mix of spaced/plaintive key tones & gently twirling ambience, which sounds like it’s of a modified guitar origin. As we move on, we shift into a shadowy abstract vibe that rises with eerier percussive knocks, cold guitar texturing, and brooding key runs. Before shifting into a mix of moody guitar solo scaping, bass tone atmospheric, and detailed percussive tension. This part of the track brings to mind Frank Zappa's late 80’s instrumental guitar-based stuff, before the track later shifts into more brooding waters with tolling keys, bass, percussive creak, and blues-tinged guitar scaping
 
I thoroughly enjoyed what was on offer here, and I’ll certainly be checking out the first Vol in this series…here’s hoping there’s a Vol 3. This will appeal to those who enjoy nicely fluid & atmospheric genre-blending, within an improv/jam-like setting.