BABILS QTAB

“Qtab”, the follow up to 2007’s “The Joint Between” is the first in a limited edition (150 copies) series of CD-R releases to henceforth be published once or twice yearly by improvisational Belgian sextet, Babils.

Featuring four lengthy pieces of between 10 and 13 minutes and imaginatively titled “Track 1” to “Track 4”, “Qtab” is all rather edgy and more than a little ominous in places. Building slowly into what sounds like an outtake from the Bitches Brew sessions, ”Track 1” features lots of treated, skronky trumpet and deep bass furrows, Track 2 will bring mist to the eye of anyone who remembers the early glory days of Here and Now escapades (Rivington Pike and all that, god bless all of you who served, by the way). Probably the best of the four by a nose, “Track 3” has a very tasty motorik-style groove indeed – a freakier and heavier take on Can’s “One More Saturday Night” that’s welcome here any time of the week (day or night). Track 4 by contrast is riff heaven, and closest in spirit to Hawkwind and the full-on kosmiche experience of the commune bands of yore. It’s another strong showing, and like all the tracks here, is overlaid with some heavily distorted, echoey vocals (courtesy of Gabriel Severin) that would make Wooden Shjips flinch. Experimental yet at the same time quite primal, “Qtab” is a welcome foray into the darker under belly of the psychedelic experience and a bit of monster – albeit a sweet one to these ears. This way to the Freak Out field.