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I love the picture of the band on the inside of sleeve notes. They look like a four naughty teachers who have snuck into the sports hall without permission.

So, they might not look they’re on any cutting edge but with the opening to ‘Sun Trolley’ it’s clear that they fit nicely between Steve Reich and the musical leanings of a Tunng in the Far East.

Town And Country are Ben Vida, Joshua Abrams, Liz Payne and Jim Dorling, who play a huge assortment of instruments like - take a big breath - the tamura, autoharp, celeste, harmonium, hmong harp, drarp, karkabas, guimbri, glokcenspiel, violin, guitar, hand chimes, accordion, mandolin that they use to create a Chicagoan gamelan.

At times, the acoustic instruments even sounds electronic like ‘Blue Lotus Feet’ where a horse’s gallop gives ways to the ulian pipes and the ‘King Of Portugal’ takes up yoga chanting.

The CD ends with the busy title track and even has sounds like the uileann pipes at times, hard to believe their wasn’t some cleaver studio business going on.

With my jazz leanings, it would be awesome if there was a Kahil El’ Zabar Ethnic Heritage Ensemble or Safehouse style collaboration in the offering.

Not sure how this Thrill Jockey release found its way into my record bag but I’m glad it did. Their website needs further investigation than just the Knit Cap. For instance, currently they have links to a Tom Verlaine radio interview. No news of any live Town And Country gigs at the moment but definitely one to catch if they’re in your town (and country).

Reviewed: Town And Country - Up Above (Thrill Jockey) Cat. No.: Thrill 165 Release date: 2006
Tracklisting:
1. Sun Trolley (7:42)
2. Fields And Parks Of Easy Access (1:42)
3. Phoney Funkin’ Mountain (4:27)
4. Bee Cee (1:42)
5. Cloud Seeding (2:59)
6. Blue Lotus Feet (2:58)
7. King Of Portugal (5:31)
8. Belle Isle (2:44)
9. Almost At White Glass And Sun (3:52)
10 Up Above (9:43)

Links
www.thrilljockey.com