For
the past five or so years, Drumheller have carved out an
astonishing niche within Toronto jazz, blending the loose
little-big-band interplay of Charles Mingus’ 1960s groups and the
idiosyncratic harmonic adventures of Ornette Coleman. Drumheller’s
third album, Glint, contains some of the band’s most memorable melodies
(“Quilted Hands” and “Sketch #14”) as well as some serious soloing
highlighted by guitarist Eric Chenaux’s lengthy workout on
“Nifac63Charlie” and Brodie West’s skittering alto sax jaunt over the
roiling drums of “Sketch #11.” “The Merignac Whistler” intertwines
seasick polyrhythms while “Hunter” finds drummer Nick Fraser leading
the band through 14 minutes of brooding post-rock that’s strangely
reminiscent of Miles Davis’ “Nefertiti.” Drumheller’s devotion to space
and open rhythms can be difficult to dig, but even their most
confounding sonic risks pay off many times along the way, courtesy of
players who continue to prove themselves to be among the city’s most
inventive musicians. - Chris Bilton