Change, it is said, it’s the only constant in today’s world. Once upon a time today bore little difference to yesterday, and a very strong resemblance to the same time last year, and beyond. Now we’re confronted by a permanent white-water of change, with each day bringing a shift in the dominant paradigm, a radical shift in underlying assumptions and a seismic shift in shared understanding.
Enjoying a Baptism Of Uzi live show is to bear witness to a musical set that can bend, shift and shape into forms hitherto unseen, unheard and unknown. A monstrous Sabbath riff can morph into a ’70s punk lick, a ride down a sun-drenched Californian highway can turn around the corner and transform into a dark evening in Dusseldorf. You never know what’s coming, but it’s always good.
Stray Currents captures Baptism Of Uzi at a moment in time, and a little bit after. This is Baptism Of Uzi exploring a more subtle, almost funk edge. The Intro starts in electronic-psychedelic territory; the next moment it’s bathed in sunlight, dazzled by a melody you want to clasp to your breast. Carnal Need is snotty in a obstreperous punk sort of a way, tinged with enough Jan and Dean hedonism to balance the moment. On Fire Penguin it’s Europe navigating between the promise of the post-war generation, and the clutches of ’70s political and social disappointment; Believe is the light at the end of the tunnel, when the discourse and music hits the sweet spot where all good Californian rock values come to meet, get down and get seriously funky.
Finally, there’s Stray Current, a track that’s been around the block more times than some kid thrashing his old man’s Oldsmobile. Everything is good, everybody’s happy, and you don’t want any of it to end. And if you try hard enough, maybe it will last forever – despite the permanent white-water.
BY RICK McCOSKER
Best Track: Stray Current.
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: QUINCY JONES, TAMAN SHUD, BLACK SABBATH
In A Word: Progfunk
