really thought that, after 40 years of the genre, that noone could possibly do anything to jazz that could be remotely called “original”. Of course, I'd never bargained on Coma Toast. This remarkable Dundee band manage to combine jazz, fusion, funk, rock, Zappa and more into this incredible amalgam that is a sound all their own. The album is full of songs, for this is a song-based album, despite the fact that you have four musicians playing an absolute blinder and capable of taking on the best that the fusion world could throw at them, and come out winning hands down, every time.
The opener, “Break Down”, combines all these elements - that vocal from lead guitarist and vocalist Dave MacGregor, almost like a modern day indie George Melly, capable of removing paint from walls at 40 paces, the epitome of the raw jazz voice but absolutely mesmerising. The song itself shuffles and drives on the dramatic and dynamic drumming from Eddie Lynch while the rhythm guitar and bass work colour it all in, as guitarist Bob Scott unleashes a brief fiery solo as a taster of what he can do. The feel is both languid and edgy, the mood serene and danceable, the songs so full of twists and turns as to be positively hypnotic. “Ventage” features some great upfront bass from Ryan Boyle as the fusion funk ploughs ever onwards as the band rise and fall on complex yet engaging arrangements that move from forceful to laid back in the blink of an eye. More of the raw vocals from Dave provide the main focus of the song as some “Watermelon In Easter Hay”-styled Zappa-esque guitar work runs through the song like a river. Counterpoint vocals from Bob add to the effect and the song is absolutely sublime from start to finish, the lengthy and languid mid-section slowly rising to the restrained fury of the finale. ”Walk Away” is more straight forward, the jazzy touches from the band and vocalist given more of a summery feel thanks to the seemingly effortless way that the song flows while the drumming is superb, the whole kit being used and some wondrously clattering percussives as the rhythm guitar and some searing heat lead guitar provide the instrumental meat as the bass foundations underpin and propel the song through another plethora of phases, the dual vocals decidedly Zappa-esque in feel and arrangement.
“Floating Winds” drops the funk for an extended composition that's almost a ballad but stays far too unpredictable for that, with playing that's solid, graceful and fluid throughout what becomes this gorgeously guitar-driven slice of restrained fusion songwriting. “Hold Me Down” really is a ballad and features some absolutely spellbinding languid jazz guitar from Dave and a vocal which, although with that trademark gruffness, is absolutely perfect in the context of what is a totally laid-back yet heartfelt and strong slice of languid song-oriented fusion, with a tight yet flowing performance from all four musicians. “Sitting Around” returns to the funk-rock-fusion with a powerful slice of action that mixes the jazzy vocals and funky grooves with flowing slabs of rock-jazz and a chorus that really takes hold as the band travel through assorted moods, paces and rhythms with enthusiasm, energy and passion, making what is a quite complexly arranged song into something that has you inexorably under its magical spell, the guitar work yet again totally engaging for what is basically jazz guitar but more palatable than you could ever have imagined from an unsigned Dundee-based indie-funk band. “Out Of Orbit” manages to mix the two sides of the fusion coin to perfection with strong drumming, laid-back guitars, solid vocals, deep bass and more slow-heat electric guitar leads, the whole thing just stunning as it weaves its slowly flowing way to your heart.
The album finishes with “Welcome Home” finishes the album wit an undulating slice of jazz-funk-fusion that sees more dramatic vocals, some great playing, shimmering guitars, more vocal; harmonies, some strong and streaming funky beats and complex rhythms from the bassist and drummer, as a wondrous track brings to a close what's been an outstanding creation, a new voice where most couldn't possibly exist, and a band that's head and shoulders above the rest of their genre.