The name, The Means of Production alone has a powerful tone to it and what they’ve turned out in their recording sessions, exhibits that same strength and beauty which sounds throughout the speakers. What you’re gearing up to hear is a deep dive into a genre bending of sounds that connects electric jazz, psych and soul in a way that hasn’t previously been done and from the unsuspected location of Brooklyn, New York. Comprised of an incredible lineup of talents including the likes of Matt Gibbs, Ben Pirani, Tre D’Ambrocia, Rafferty Swink, Pat Carr and Jay Mumford who each hold their weight in gold, The Means of Production is something special in every sense of the word.
Originally formed as the backing band for vocalist Ben Pirani in 2016, The Means Of Production would forge a tight musical bond over the ensuing years of touring, rehearsing and embracing 1960s “no edits” style recording sessions for Pirani’s Colemine Records’ output. Initially, the sextet focused solely on pointed and purposeful session work. A natural evolution took place, however, as the kinetic chemistry between the six members led to a blossoming of free-form musical experimentation. While warming up to record as the studio band for artists like Ralph Weeks and Lizzie No, The Means of Production would improvise, exploring the farthest reaches of their sonic connection. Those fleeting and urgent live instrumental takes became the album that sits before you.
Inspired by Teo Macero’s use of tape editing on early ‘70s Miles Davis’ records, the band’s resident mixologist Rafferty Swink was entrusted with the job of arranging these group improvised, spontaneous compositions. The result is a potent, genre-defying kaleidoscope of electric jazz, psych, and soul. With musical pedigrees as wide ranging as these six musicians, there was no other potential outcome, but to reverberate purely through their own telepathic transmissions. Indeed, The Means Of Production can be described as nothing less than the raw and adventurous sound of NOW.
Highly recommended!