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The cover will catch your eye and the seven tracks will certainly catch your ear. Of course, that man Gilles Peterson was first on the case and played the finale track, ‘Tabernacle’ on his show. If you’re into that spiritual modal jazz-sound track vibe, this is a must have. Fans of Ninja Tunes’ Cinematic Orchestra, Amon Tobin and Skapel will welcome Loka’s debut album to the labels catalogue.

Loka are the Liverpudlian duo Karl Webb and Mark Kyriacou. There’s nothing on the album as scary as ‘The Lighthouse’ or commercial as ‘Channel 1 Suite’ but such influences are there with the added healthy nods to Miles Davis’ experimental fusion period.

With this in mind, my first listen to the CD was as the soundtrack to my train journey home. Late at night, leaving Waterloo station, the neon lights of the capital proved to be the most atmospheric backdrop to the opener ‘Safe Self Tester’. The strings and bass are chilling.

As I was looking back at Clapham Junction’s multiple lines and empty platforms, the track ended. It was a shiver down the spine moment. And then the lads came into the carriage. They’d obviously had been drinking.

‘Meet Dad’ is the funky jazz rocker with a ‘modern’ distorted guitar solo.

Again, as I flashed the past the frequent stations of the London hinterland, this suited the upbeat feel…

‘Airfling’ is another tune that matches the beat of the train and takes the mood a little bit darker (with ‘Miles’ solos) and ‘Freda Mae’ takes us even further into the area of Panthalassa: The Music Of Miles Davis 1969-1974. As good a 10 minutes as you’ll get and probably better value than (yet another) CBS/Columbia Miles repackage.

As the pretty girls get off at the next station and the lads start looking around the carriage for something else to take their interest.

‘Beginningless’ would scare them off as this a moody long stare with the message, “don’t mess with me” as it builds in quasi-Tubular Bells fashion.

And indeed the boys had a few more beers and got off at the next stop.

Peterson was to remark on his Worldwide show that is was a pity Loka is not a ‘live’ band. Indeed it is and perhaps that’s where they will be going next. However, they’re making up for this in the video department. There have been a couple of good ones already (‘Beginningless’ & ‘Safe Self Tester are on the CD). The ‘Train’ theme has probably been overdone, so don’t use that but see the links below for a chance to enter a video competition (ends 21.04.06).

Considering Loka made their debut on Ninja’s Xen Cuts compilation of 2000, this is a much anticipated release. Lets hope it’s not another six years until the next; the jazz-rock-fusion revival starts here (?).

Reviewed: Loka - Fire Shepherds (Ninja Tune) Cat. No: ZENCD 089 Release date: 27th March 2006
CD contains Quicktime video for ‘Beginningless’ (Directed by Glenn Marshall) and ‘Safe Self Tester’ (Directed by Sebastian James)

Tracklisting:
1. Safe Self Tester (8:26)
2. Meet Dad (5:12)
3. Airfling (7:04)
4. Freda Mae (10:01)
5. Beginningless (3:54)
6. Tabernacle Part 1 (3:20)
7. Tabernacle Part 2 (5:20)

Links:
Loka
www.ninjatune.net
Gilles Peterson : Tracklistings, 5 February 2006 (2) Loka - ‘Tabernacle Part 1’ (Ninja Tune)