Manafonistas

Miles Davis once urged his band to “play music that doesn’t sound like music”. The dark and intricate soundscapes of Iain Ballamy (saxophone and electronica) and Thomas Strønen (drums and more electronica) surely qualify. They are full of drama, shifting textures and colours but you’d be pushed to find a hook, a chorus or a middle eight. As saxophone soars over shifting rhythms, guests including guitarist Eivind Aarset and Nils Petter Molvaer on trumpet add to the mood of mystery. What do you call this music: ambient thrash, space-jazz, elevator music for aliens? Whatever, its murky beauties will reward.