BLACK TOP PRESENTS: HAMID DRAKE/ELAINE MITCHENER/WILLIAM PARKER/ORPHY ROBINSON/PAT THOMAS - Some Good News

"Double-CD documenting the magic meeting of one of the all-time great rhythm sections in jazz: percussionist Hamid Drake and bassist William Parker, with London's brilliant Black Top (Orphy Robinson and Pat Thomas) and Elaine Mitchener. Across two sets the quintet are infectiously energetic and inspired, striding from synchronized heavy groove to star bright solos, whilst incorporating dub effects, guembri, and sumptuous blues piano playing. Formed by Orphy Robinson and Pat Thomas but always realized with an ever-changing number of invited musicians, Black Top's blend of lo-fi samples, dub effects and experimental electronics has been daring free improvisation since 2011. Their virtuoso performances draw on their Afro-Caribbean roots with delicious spontaneity and humor; the histories of Ridley Road Market, the LIO and Islamic West Africa are sounded out side by side on iPad, marimba and vibraphone. Having met in 2006, Black Top played with bassist William Parker and drummer Hamid Drak