Jerry Granelli and Badlands

Crowd Theory

“…brims with energy and incident…”

—Billboard

Jerry Granelli’s second CD on Songlines with his fine downtown New York septet Bandlands is a record of deep groove and relaxed intensity. The programme covers a lot of ground stylistically, from the breezy yet lop-sided lope of “Mr. Hulot” (a vivid homage to Jacques Tati’s famous screen character) to the Sun Ra-meets-ambient densities of “Cloud”, a suave but darkly serious “Tango”, rousing avant-funk in 7/8 (“Yutz”), the gathering energies and compelling 6 against 2 feel of Wayne Horvitz’s “The Front”, and the long lyrical line of “Crowd Theory”. As with Enter, a Dragon, the band frequently explores textures through collective improvisation, but the new CD focuses more on songs and ensemble writing as well as individual solos, Jerry leading from the drumkit with his dancing rhythmic meditations.

“The writing and arrangements provide listeners with a solid starting point from which the band explores some great moments. Granelli plays with a deft touch and big ears.” — Modern Drummer

**** “…these musicians bring to the table technical ability and musical empathy that elevates them far above mere sidemen to equal partners in Granelli’s musical vision. The majority of the album is spent expertly treading a line between group improvisation and exacting composition. Many of the tracks find the theme prefaced by an extended improvisation by some or all of the players and extended solos are, as often as not, traded for wild romps demanding full participation of the entire group…a powerful ensemble record.” — Tom Benton, Allmusic.com