"1 Kroket," which opens Belgian creative jazz quintet Wofo's third album, 2011's Bark, begins with arpeggiated notes played by bandleader/composer Xavier Verhelst on his six-string bass. Here and especially on his harmonics-laden intro to album closer "A Bark Frae a Teethless Dog Is as Goode as a Bite," Verhelst takes full advantage of his instrument's capabilities. Indeed, while previous bandmember guitarist Walter Verschaeren contributed significantly to Wofo's sonic palette, Verhelst's mastery of crisp articulations high on the neck covers at least some of what the guitarist brought to the band. Meanwhile, new member pianist Stijn Engels broadens and deepens Wofo's range, adding a jazzy harmonic element. Based on "1 Kroket," one might also conclude that Wofo have become somewhat darker and more avant-gardist: Engels strums across the piano strings and holds down the sustain pedal to let low notes slowly dissipate against a solid 11/8 beat from Verhelst and drummer Tom De Wulf; after some tight starts and stops, Mattias Laga on bass clarinet and Michel Mast on tenor saxophone are howling and wailing over one another as the rhythm section cranks away beneath them. But it all fades out after scarcely two minutes, and after an atmospheric free-time Balkan-tinged intro, second track "Schatten" proves to be an appealing, jaunty number well suited to fans of 2009's Tweedt; the tempo hints at reggae but the bright reeds suggest a bit of Raymond Scott, and Verhelst's multi-layered writing is as involving as ever, with Engels' melodic lines finding contrapuntal space amidst the reeds. Solos by Mast and Laga are truly enhanced by Engels' harmonically advanced comping; the reedmen return the favor with a bit of understated background riffing when the solo spotlight shifts to the pianist.

1		1 Kroket
2		Schatten
3		Mockedonsko Kolo
4		The Singing of Numbers
5		Tournez la Page
6		May Morning
7		Nix Nieuws
8		11 Kroketten
9		A Bark Frae a Teethless Dog Is as Goode as a Bite

	Like us on Facebook
	@SoundHound	Follow