Zhenya Strigalev - Never Group

Russian-born, London-based alto saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev follows up his critically-acclaimed 2015 Whirlwind sextet release 'Robin Goodie' with his trio project 'Never Group'. The album was recorded over two days in Berlin with the rhythm section of electric bassist Tim Lefebvre and drummer Eric Harland.

Strigalev also welcomes guests such as keyboardist John Escreet, double bassist Matt Penman and trumpeter Alex Bonney - Strigalev's desire with this different focus is to fashion the unexpected and the fleeting (alluded to in the project name) both from his own original compositions and the contributions of respected Austrian electronics composer/musician Bruno Liberda (who also appears on this recording).

In an hour-plus abundance of twenty tracks, Strigalev and colleagues elicit bristling spontaneity, from the rasping percussiveness of Bio Active to the grungy swagger of Strange Party, from the echoic, electronically-manipulated mystery of Liberda's Bassgeigengeister and Heimwehharfe to the raw, boppy mischievousness of Some Thomas and playful, grooving Snail.

Strigalev has been building a reputation on both sides of the North Atlantic for his adventurous and impassioned emphasis on improvisation, his 'Never Group' is an experience that matches quirky abandon with resolute musicianship and technicality.

Personnel: Zhenya Strigalev (alto saxophone), Tim Lefebvre (electric bass), Eric Harland (drums) with guests: Bruno Liberda (electronics), Matt Penman (double bass), John Escreet (keyboards), Alex Bonney (trumpet), Charles Armstrong (voice)