Drift

While guitarist Danny Grody’s "other instrumental band,” Tarentel, has lately shot off into leftfield with a collection of experimental dub and ambient rock sketches (Ghetto Beats on the Surface of the Sun), the Drift have steered well to the right with this second full-length. Coming on the heels of their own more exploratory collection of vinyl odds and ends (Ceiling Sky) it further highlights the tighter focus of the San Francisco four-piece. Jeff Jacobs’ trumpet work takes on a larger role in the band’s sound, freeing guitarist Grody to explore more shadings and sounds unconnected to the main melodies. Drummer Rich Douthit has also stepped up his game, moving away from the more synthetic/metronomic metres of Tortoise-style percussion to a muscular looseness reminiscent of Do Make Say Think’s dual drummer approach. The only quibble is how excellent upright bassist Safa Shokrai’s parts seem to have been a little washed out in the mix. Still, this is a sturdy effort that gets to the heart of what limber players can wring from the jazz/rock clothesline.