Gok (CD)

The new album from Scotland's acclaimed jazz master Bill Wells and Maher Shalal Hash Baz, one of Japan's most interesting contemporary groups. Released on Domino via Geographic (the label of Stephen from the Pastels), Gok stands as one of Bill Wells' most important studio albums while complementing his previous Osaka Bridge live set. Fascinated by Maher's music and recognizing kindred spirits, Bill was able to travel to Japan in 2004 (funded in part by the Scottish Arts Council) to record in the Gok studio with this incredible group of musicians. His intention was to record a greatest hits of new compositions - shorter pop pieces which he felt would 'withstand the Maher treatment' - resulting in this wonderfully loose, warm and beautiful collection. It's an album that's magical, melodic, sometimes spontaneous, sometimes composed, uplifting, fragile and always slightly odd.