Jim Black - Antiheroes (2013) [Hi-Res]

In May 2012 drummer Jim Black started composing music for his new upcoming recording of 'Antiheroes' in his house in Brooklyn, NY. In summer of the same year he traveled through Europe and found at friends places the best conditions at a peaceful farm near Salzburg in Austria and in a private house on a beautiful island in Greece. Here – surrounded by quietness and the power of silence – he was able to fully concentrate on his work, he took his guitar and this time also a piano and started writing his songs for drums, saxophone, bass and guitar. The owners of his refuges created the best circumstance and prepared finest meals and drinks. A few months later he recorded the album 'Antiheroes' far, far away from Greece in another paradise on Iceland. This record presents music and sound stories about creatures, characters and things who do not just exist but try to make a better world without being afraid to take risks.

»Antiheroes« is a studio production, recorded with the Icelandic musicians Hilmar Jensson (guitar) and Skúli Sverrisson (bass) plus Jim Black's long-standing musical partner Chris Speed (saxophone). These four individual musicians are AlasNoAxis, which is the name of this homogeneous group and 'Antiheroes' is their sixth album and Jim Black's seven album as a band leader for Winter&Winter. Stefan Winter produced the recording session near Reykjavík, and Ron Saint Germain (sound engineer of Kraftwerk, Michael Jackson, Ornette Coleman and Soundgarden, to name a few) was responsible for the sound design of the mix.

'The whole point of AlasNoAxis is less about broader technical displays and more about direct service to the song. On these relatively short compositions these players manage to navigate odd time signatures and a diversity of feels and textures that lean heavily towards the kinetic. This is music that demands attention and is best played loud.' (All About Jazz)

Chris Speed, tenor saxophon, clarinet
Hilmar Jensson, guitars
Skúli Sverrisson, bass
Jim Black, drums

01. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Antihero
02. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Super K's
03. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Much Better Now
04. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Tockle
05. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Sun San
06. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Marguay
07. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Meowchless
08. Jim Black, AlasNoAxis - Square Pegs