Reviewed on 4th March 2010.

Arthur Rigby & The Baskervylles

Live at The Library on Friday, 19th February 2010

The Peppermint Lounge take the plunge an enticing visual backdrop of period documentary film showing African tribes. A good choice; juxtaposition between the last vestiges of primal civilisation and their space age synthesis of probably 60 years of popular music. A buzzing set of united genres from jazz through hip-hop; it's an intense but feel-good experience. Psychedelic rivers of choice sampling and persistent, irresistible rhythm provided by live drummer lull me into a cosmic stupor. The band could easily nestle among a rare groove night or equally adorn the roster of Soul Jazz Records.

Films are the latest incarnation of the artists formally known as Daljit Dhaliwal. Untutored, slight rhythmic guitar work and precision beats formulate a spooky atmos to which their brooding, enigmatic performance adds great character. The songs are hung out on sparse, razor wire rhythm guitar and rumble along to disembodied, dead pan vocals. Graceful piano work provides just a flickering of light in their murky depths. Equal parts hip hop as joy division, Films are tricky to pin down and that's what makes them interesting.

Arthur Rigby & The Baskervylles barely fit in the Library, and they make enough noise to boot. Armed to the teeth with instrumentation: full brass section and strings signal this isn't your basic garage band offering. These are songs written to splendour and the sheer scale is something to behold for those who like intricacy and musicianship. We get pop in the vein of the Divine Comedy, maybe a touch of the new school with stuff like Guillemots; although I have to admit I'm not well versed in the eccentricities of Chamber Pop, or whatever it may be called. With the potential of nine different parts going wrong the band are spot on. The breaks sound tight, and come crashing back to earth with gale force. They're strictly regimented, only breaking rank to flip the pages of sheet music. You get this quasi concert performance feel which I must say is odd for a Friday at the Library, but they've nailed the stand out factor and there's no ignoring them.