Olie Brice, Binker Golding, Henry Kaiser, N. O. Moore, Eddie Prevost - The Secret Handshake With Danger (Vol. One) (2021)

I really like The Secret Handshake with Danger, Vol. One especially the first of these two very long 'Door' improvisations but both are the real deal. The excerpt on Soundcloud heralding release gave a good clue and hearing the whole record a few times since having got in touch with the label for a full review copy since it is even better. Binker Golding is key to the ensemble sound and the way he works with Henry Kaiser especially is a mind blowing and highly stimulating trip. But make no mistake this is collective free improvisation and needs to be understood completely as a totality. I've long been a fan of Binker's and remember first meeting him in a place called the Milkbar on Soho's Bateman Street in 2010 to conduct a Jazzwise interview and then later enjoying Dem Ones a lot both the record and hearing him and Moses Boyd rip it up at Brilliant Corners in Dalston one time before they deservedly trousered the MOBO for best jazz act and began to be much better known. At first Binker's main influence as I hear it was Denys Baptiste and when the saxist plays hard bop, for instance on the Charles Tolliver record released by Gearbox last year, you can still discern that thread a bit. However, on free improv records where I think the Londoner's heart really lies, it is where he is best of all. As previously reported The Secret Handshake with Danger, Vol. One was recorded in London last year and is on NYC free-improv label 577. Note Eddie Prévost does not play in a multi-directional style (eg the pervasive approach that Rashied Ali introduced that a lot of free-jazz drummers quite sensibly adhere to) so it is interesting to have his input. I can't really describe his style with a neat phrase. However Prévostian is enough, best and accurate. Finally I love Henry Kaiser's playing here. Certainly one of the best records I have heard in months. Free your minds and continue to rage against the machine. Stunning. SG. Out on 12 March.