REVIEW: Basil Kirchin - Everyday Madness

When you thought it was safe to come out from the behind the sofa Jonny Trunk delivers a release of sinister, experimental and often strangely charming sounds by that talented master of sparse jazz Basil Kirchin. Featuring 40 minutes of studio goings on Pat’s Pig kicks things off with what sounds like blowing the top of an empty glass drinks bottle, shaking anything in site such as car keys, pressing the odd keyboard button and some clip clop sounds floating around all over the place, this mysterious group of sounds is highly engaging and fascinating to listen to with headphones on.

Second track has a child singing at the start before Kirchin’s wife laughs and talks to others sounding like the aunt of Grot Bags. There are further dim swipes of what sounds like an organ in the background stopping and starting as the continuing strains of voices can be hysterically be heard, sounding almost as manic, if not more outrageous than Captain Beefheart’s Pena.

Final track The Suspended Forth starts with a burst of vibraphone and saxophone before some dramatic strings shine away in the background leading to an almost soundtrack feel over its elongated 21 minutes. Most probably the 3 tracks were thought of and then improvised in the studio as you hear, which is part of the true delight with these type of releases, you literally don’t know what sound will come next, it’s packed full of surprises, more so than a surprise pick and mix. An outstanding piece of music, if you’re lucky to grab a physical copy there are actual mistakes on the sleeve notes.

Everyday Madness can be purchased via the following link