DAVE MANNINGTON’S RIFF RAFF

This London based super group led by bassist Dave Mannington released their new album, Hullabaloo, on Loop Records last year. Riff Raff mixes the bass playing leader’s clever composing with a formidable lineup: Ivo Neame on piano and occasional accordion: the articulate Tomas Challenger on tenor: the excellent Tim Giles on drums; John Scofield-like guitarist Rob Updegraff and softly surefooted vocalist Brigitte Beraha. The soundscape embraces a 21st century sax-led cool school sound, raw guitar-fusion, diffident Wayne Shorteresque lyricism, and vocals that showcase Beraha’s eloquent lyrics and her inventiveness as a wordless improviser.