Led Bib: Sizewell Tea

Led Bib
Sizewell Tea
Babel
Unavailable

Verbal allusions: Led Bib are named for the lead bib dentists hang on patients during X-rays to spare the thyroid gland, and Sizewell D is a nuclear reactor. I’d not drink Sizewell Tea unless assured the name was a metaphor, and moreover an exaggeration. Switching metaphors, undiluted spirits would be a fair image of the music. This English band is two alto-saxophonists plainly capable of more variety than they show here, their militant tendency underlined by a keyboard player, a percussionist, and a player of (one at a time, I imagine) different basses. With a couple of exceptions, different only in character not quality, the performances are driving and energetic, with at times very aggressive drumming. There’s not an enormous range of mood or pace, but that might be what you’re after. If you want more variety, play somebody else’s CD too. These guys can certainly play. The great trombonist-arranger Slide Hampton sometimes tells audiences to buy extra copies of his CDs for people (a) whom they don’t like, and (b) who don’t like jazz. If you’re wincing at being unable to get out of going to a party given by a fan of sm**th j*zz who ruffles your feathers, get them a copy of this. It’ll nettle ’em good and proper! And with good music too!

RATING 6 / 10