The UK quintet Polar Bear, lead by drummer Seb Rochford, have been mangling up jazz, industrial grime and soundscape atmospherics for a decade.

This fifth album, with Leafcutter John’s electronics more of a driving force, plays up the extremes of their saxophonists’ contrasting voices – Pete Wareham prefers the squawk and grit of the late 60s; Mark Lockheart is lyrical and softer toned. Thus “Lost in Death Part 2” is melodic and driven by tom-tom beats – while “Life and Life” is all scratch, screech and electronica.

Polar Bear

In Each and Every One

(Leaf Label)

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