It’s a shame a record as adventurous as this should end up with the unappetising label of “avant-jazz”, but that’s the cross poor old Polar Bear must carry for daring to mix traditional jazz instrumentation and idioms with funky beats and electronic sound treatments. The sequel to their 2005 Mercury-nominated album, Held on the Tips of Fingers, finds Seb Rochford and his band pushing the boat further out in both directions, with the result that Polar Bear seesaws dizzyingly between playful wooziness and taut classicism. The sparkling melodic interplay between the sax players Pete Wareham and Mark Lockheart on Tomlovesalicelovestom has a joyous quality that abruptly gives way to the spooky electro-improv of Voices. Sure, it may not be for everybody, but, paradoxically, there’s something for everybody here.

Tin Angel TAR008

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