Squarepusher - 'Solo Electric Bass 1' (Warp) Released 17/08/09

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Recorded live at Cité de la Musique, Paris in September 2007, ‘Solo Electric Bass 1’ is an album that pushes the boundaries of what we have come to expect from Tom Jenkinson, the seminal Squarepusher. A completely assured performance that merely consists of Jenkinson on stage with a bass and a small amp, his reinvention of the instrument and his confidence to to entertain as such deserves credit alone.

Squarepusher’s progression to this musical form has been hinted at in prior work but this undertaking itself, is truly unique. That Jenkinson is an accomplished bass player is a given and his finger-work, at times, is truly astounding as he feels his way through twelve arrangements –simply numbered S.E.B. 1-12 - in what is a truly intimate show.

The first third sees much of the tracks run into each other in a relaxed state of melancholy, leaving little pause for thought. The whole set builds and builds with track 5 (S.EB. 6) covering all the range of styles of the perfect utility player, see Michael Essien for more.

Track 7 (S.EB. 3) begins softly before exploding into raw funk and building into a 2-minute hive of intensity before meandering away again. Track 10 (S.E.B. 10) is similar in its intensity as the almost aggressive string-work beings cheers from the crowd – his fingers moving at the kind of pace you’d imagine Liam Gallagher’s moved at the weekend when he apparently launched a guitar at his older brother.

It would be wrong to criticise the album based on the quality recording, as the decision not to edit underlines the purity of the performance. The culmination of his performance is the pure-funk of S.E.B 12 – his final arrangement – the speed and dexterity of his fingers is jaw-dropping stuff and reminiscent of a certain Chilli Pepper. Flea, himself sums up Jenkinson’s talent perfectly: “this shit just rocks.”

Limited to 850 recordings ‘Solo Electric Bass 1’ is meant for Squarepusher fans alone and what an early Christmas present it is.