You'll recall Led Bib were one of the leaders of "anarchic jazz" revolution back in the day and now they are an 'Award-winning UK Jazz Group' but what are they like when the book into 'Hotel Pupik' with their new album?
I think it's fair to say that when Led Bib burst onto London's jazz circuit 20 years ago, folks didn't know what to make of them. "Sun Ra didn't die in vain" [sic] said The Times. The Observer's Music Monthly, "We need bands like Led Bib to make the world safe for dangerous music". Well, they were still dangerous when they made their debut album on the US label Cuneiform back in 2009 with the undangerous title, 'Sensible Shoes'. This is their 5th album on the label, a forward looking jazz label if there ever was one that was founded by Steve Feigenbaum over 40 years ago.
Led Bib's current line-up is Pete Grogan (saxophones), Chris Williams (saxophones, effects), Liran Donin (bass, effects) and leader Mark Holub (drums) and you'll note, the first time in their 22 year/10 album history, there's no keyboard player. Any group/band that's 20% down is going to feel a difference, so what difference will this singular double horn attack make?
Well, on the opener, 'Iron Ore' its not a lot as it's raw energy harks back to when they were quoting thier diverse range of influences as Metallica, Delia Derbyshire, Northern Soul, NY improv and John Surman (Surman himself also being on Cuneiform). Back to 'Iron Ore', by coincidence, Jazz Sabbath (the keyboard led, Black Sabbath 'tribute' trio) have had lots of coverage lately for obvious reasons, but 'Iron Ore' is full of the heavy metal influence so it is good to see that they are still able to rock.
I say that because the other six track on the album are somewhat different in that there's elements of 'rock' - particularly in the drums and bass - whilst at the other extreme, it's very ECM ambient and 'natural'; no more so than in 'Dawn Chorus'. And most of the tracks include this apparent dichotomy. But is it really? Not on gentle 'Transient Weaving' and manic army marching plodding blues of 'Pure O': 'O' for Ozzy perhaps?
This mix is great and I envisage one of those old Quadraphonic LP sleeve notes where it gives you the best position to sit in the room to hear the album correctly with each performer having a speaker to themselves: Pete and Chris front right and left, Liran and Mark back row left and right.
So I can almost hear you saying, where's the 'free' jazz and if it's squarky sax and army marching heritage, why no mention of Albert Ayler? We'll Ayler was more known for palying with his brother Donald (on trumpet) and whilst it sounds 'free', as it sounds so good as a group, I don't think this could be 'free' in the original sense of the 60s trippy period althought it definitley sounds more Ayler without the keyboards in the group.
And what could be better than two 'Alberts' or an Ayler/Surman sax attack at the same time? Nothing! Especially when it comes to the opus that is the 12 minutes of title track. Collectively and individually Led Bib shine on this track, and indeed, throughout the album such that by the time time you get to the end of the last track, the mournful 'Till Next Time', you'll want to play it again and again; and even go back to 'Sensible Shoes' where tracks like 'Early Morning' can be seen as a precursor to 'Hotel Pupik'.
Not as jazz-fusion as Lampen's 'Halogen' (see review HERE) and not as rock as Ivdf (see review HERE soon) but either would be great support acts to a Led Bib live gig; and talking of which, I can only imagine how powerful 'Hotel Pupik' as an album will sound live so if you're lucky enough to catch them on the forthcoming UK tour, don't hesitate and book tickets now!
Tour dates - UK.
Artist: Led Bib
Title: Hotel Pupik
Release date: 29th August, 2025
Label : Cuneiform Records
Catalog Number : Cuneiform Rune 541
Format: Vinyl LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp
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