Opener “Dock Ellis” is a doozy at nearly nine minutes, although it never overstays its welcome. John Barkley flexes his muscle here with keyboard work of Stevie Wonder pedigree, while Jon Godsy is equally impressive with the bass line throughout.
“Shama Pt. 1” and “Skip Dickson” borrow from lo-fi purveyors Toro y Moi and Ariel Pink in crafting a Studio 54-worthy disco groove. “Spiritz” is more Pretty Lights than Umphrey’s McGee, but “Skull Shaker” blends those two worlds wonderfully.
Album highlight “Chimenea” is found smack-dab in Bloom’s middle. Montu is no stranger to genre-bending, but the group really outdoes itself, moving from a gorgeous acoustic guitar hook at the beginning to a dreamy, Southwestern jam groove that combusts into a gripping, jazzy bridge with killer horns around the five-minute mark.
Available for download at montu.bandcamp.com, Bloom nearly does the impossible in matching Montu’s live prowess, more than capable of getting the party started in the privacy of your own home. —Joshua Boydston
Hey! Read This:
• Montu interview
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