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Written by Chris Schott Wednesday, 24 January 2007 13:30

The people at Hometapes are keeping their ears to the ground, making sure we're constantly hearing something new and exciting.

I believe I speak for most people when I say that I am a fan of melody and hooks rather than ambient, experimental indie-jazz. In this case, I have to admit that Shedding has made an upright attempt to win me over. Though fragmented in thought and design, the concept's overall blueprint is still made apparent by mastermind Connor Bell. "This record is a tribute to both Eric Dolphy and the bird sounds that mystify not only us, but all others who listen to our world with a different set of ears."

Dolphy was a saxophone genius who tragically died at 36 years old. It is nice to see that the man is remembered and being brought back to form in such weird and wonderful ways. Tiny in tracks but not in stature, the three songs of What God Doesn't Bless still stand strong at 40 minutes. Opening with "GB," we're served a twisted overture recalling some of Dolphy's "God Bless the Child" saxophone licks. Headphones are needed for a more complete experience, as some of the more buried sounds really bring out Bell's ideas. At 14 minutes, the second track, "W," seems to make the air a bit thicker, time move a little slower, and molecules halt with its hypnotic "ohm." The woodwind bird sounds that seem to call back and forth to each other also keep our imaginations running on high. Even longer at 19 minutes, "YDK" completes the process through vacant corridors and competing sounds of misplacement.

Obviously not for everyone, this is also not a conventional release, as Shedding is blatantly uncompromising and does not have commercial intentions. The same goes with their label. The people at Hometapes are keeping their ears to the ground, making sure we're constantly hearing something new and exciting. That reason alone is why Shedding should be given a chance. B+ | Chris Schott

RIYL: Eric Dolphy, Fennesz