Playing @ Studio 24, Edinburgh, Fri 19 Oct only (on tour)
Submotion Orchestra are enjoying a steady rise in notoriety, thanks to their experimental fusion of dub, acid jazz and chillout, all combined with a heavy and throbbing stage presence. There is a genre-busting appeal in this septet from Leeds, brought together to further a new musical agenda through a commission from the Arts Council in 2009. They are captained by the ethereal vocals of Ruby Wood, whose open melodrama sucks in the willing crowd, leaving you breathless and mesmerised. Tonight there is particular excitement at the unveiling of the band’s new album, Fragments.
A large throng fills the auditorium as Submotion Orchestra begin the journey, peppering old favourites amongst the new tracks. This is a group who excel in live performance; all seems fresh, remixed and explored, offering a surprise for the tantalised crowd. There is huge variety in beat and texture, from pure and stark vocals to full on instrumental sections, and tasty drum and trumpet solos. The set explores many musical styles– most strikingly in the percussion. We’re transported, from Morroco to New York, Brazil to TechnoLand, all with prominent and structural basslines. Such is to be expected from a group containing several professional jazz musicians.
Known for an eclectic and somewhat indefinable sound, Submotion Orchestra make heavy use of their Sound Designer, DJ Ruckspin. Many of the darker elements of deep electronica are intermingled with jazz influence to create an intriguing cocktail, while there is much use of atmospheric reverb and a heavy bass. At times, the Ruby Woods otherworldly vocals are lost by a kind of melodious cacophony, yet all is sublimely controlled and superbly managed, leaving you slightly drained by the sheer sound spectacle.