why we love this

This upsweeping trio from the UK has an incredibly fast-paced & exciting dynamic. A thrilling fast train that takes you across sceneries and textures alike.

about the record

"Floa" is the second album release by Mammal Hands, the young trio featuring brothers Jordan (saxophones) and Nick Smart (piano) plus drummer/percussionist Jesse Barrett. Originally from Norwich the Smarts were already working as an electronica duo before they encountered Barrett in 2012 with the music subsequently diverting in a more obvious jazz direction.

After adopting the group name Mammal Hands the trio were spotted by GoGo Penguin bassist Nick Blacka when they were playing at the Mostly Jazz Funk and Soul Festival in Birmingham. Recognising them as kindred spirits Blacka recommended them to Manchester based trumpeter, composer and label owner Matthew Halsall who signed the band to his Gondwana imprint and released their acclaimed début album “Animalia”. These days there’s a tendency to think of Mammal Hands as a Manchester band despite their East Anglian roots – does that make them a sort of jazz equivalent to the Charlatans?

The bassless line up might suggest some kind of chamber jazz but instead the music of Mammal Hands is unexpectedly rhythmic, dynamic and exciting and reflects the trio’s interests in electronic, contemporary classical and world music. These include Barrett’s knowledge of Indian rhythms learned during his studies with tabla master Sirishkumar, Nick Smart’s love of minimalist composers Terry Riley, Philip Glass and Steve Reich and Jordan’s immersion in the different sound worlds of DJ culture and the spiritual jazz of Pharaoh Sanders. For this second outing they have added Sufi and African trance music plus the folk music of both Ireland and Eastern Europe to their range of influences. Like one time label mates GoGo Penguin Mammal Hands create thoroughly contemporary music that has the potential to appeal to a wide range of listeners including adventurous fans of both dance and rock music.