A new improvisational jazz quintet, SML, recently emerged with its debut record, Small Medium Large, which has been on The Third Eye’s radar. The record was released via the excellent Chicago-based label International Anthem.
Small Medium Large began as a collection of long-form improvisations recorded during two separate two-night stands at the beloved Highland Park, Los Angeles venue ETA. Unfortunately, the venue closed its doors permanently at the end of 2023 after being a significant site for the burgeoning West Coast jazz and improvised music sound. Luckily, the venue was open long enough to give rise to SML, which has released a terrific record with Small Medium Large.
The group includes bassist Anna Butterss, synthesist Jeremiah Chiu, saxophonist Josh Johnson, percussionist Booker Stardum, and guitarist Gregory Uhlmann. Collectively, SML has created a debut LP that fits alongside East Coast improvised jazz heads Vague Plot, but it may even be freakier.
Editing, chopping, and rearranging mixed improvisations is hardly a new idea employed on Small Medium Large, but the results on the record are an excellent expansion of the Ted Macero/Miles Davis editing concept explored in classics like In A Silent Way. Stylistically, SML hits us with proto-trance repetitions, polyrhythmic patterns, and electronic sequences augmented with live instrumentation that flows seamlessly.
“Rubber Tree Dance” feels simultaneously timeless and futuristic, featuring the tribal percussion of Stardum and the chopped-up electronic sequences that become familiar as the album rolls on. “Industry” delves deeper into experimental territory with kosmische textural elements that feel like a robotic groove.
“Search Bar Hi Hat” keeps the tribal percussion going, adding saxophone flourishes and odd little synth noises for good measure. “Three Over Seal” features perhaps the funkiest saxophone playing on the LP, taking the group deep into an electronic neo-soul territory.
“Feed The Birds” may be my favorite track. At over six minutes long, it feels like an electronic trance ritual. The glitchy electronics, saxophone, and other sonic elements create one hell of a genre-bending listening experience.
Small Medium Large is a bold statement from SML for a debut record, and I hope there’s more music from this quintet to come. The LP pays homage to diverse influences but bursts with creative originality. It’s an album that demands repeated listens where you’ll hear something new each time.
Check out Small Medium Large by SML on Bandcamp here.
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