The self-titled debut album from
Melt Yourself Down explains why the band, which combines the talents of some of the U.K.'s most boundary-pushing jazz and avant acts, is considered to be a supergroup. Brought together by former
Acoustic Ladyland saxophonist
Pete Wareham, who had a dream of making "Nubian party punk," the act includes other members of
Wareham's old band as well as players from
Hello Skinny, Sons of Kemet, and
Zun Zun Egui, all of which are groups that share an equal fondness for authenticity and experimentation. Members of the band have also played with
Mulatu Astatke and
Rokia Traore, emphasizing the passion the group has for the roots of their sound as well as the far-flung directions in which they can be taken. It's no coincidence that
Melt Yourself Down shares its name with a limited-edition
James Chance and the Contortions album; besides conferring no wave cred, the moniker is an apt one: Melt Yourself Down is full of face-meltingly furious performances as well as a melting pot of sounds and ideas. The album's first half is dominated by the band's formidable singles, including "Fix My Life," which puts the spotlight on
Wareham and
Shabaka Hutchings' dueling saxes and the electronic trickery of producer
Leafcutter John, and its irresistible, aptly named B-side "Release!" which showcases the strong and flexible rhythmic backbone provided by bassist
Ruth Goller, percussionist
Satin Singh, and drummer
Tom Skinner. "We Are Enough" contrasts its peppy sax riffs with brash vocalizing from
Kushal Gaya, who's as comfortable with this kind of punk swagger as he is with the ululating and chanting he does on "Tuna" and "Camel." Later,
Melt Yourself Down heads into more expansive realms, most notably on "Free Walk," which is almost calm by the rest of the album's standards, even as it spotlights
Singh's remarkable percussion work. As free-flowing and vibrant as tracks like "Kingdom of Kush" are, it's interesting to note that
Melt Yourself Down wrote every part of the album before heading into the studio (they recorded the album on a boat, which suits its freewheeling nature). Whether or not that explains the almost impatient energy the band generates on these songs, the restlessness throughout is undeniable, infectious, and somehow welcoming. Melt Yourself Down is an exhilarating debut from a group whose members know each other well enough to head into this kind of wild territory with nothing holding them back. ~ Heather Phares