Degraded Jazz Tones

Thirteen's debut album/E.P Degraded Jazz Tones is a fusion of... not too much jazz, not too much funk, not too much rock, and with a sprinkle of something else you didn't think of. Woven together with a good deal of subtlety and depth; these are the ingredients that produce a sound difficult to categorise, yet bold, cohesive and even catchy.

Thirteen's influences come from far and wide: the 70's progressive rock era to anything from the 80's (that didn't include dodgy hair and a Casio keyboard) and the 90's alternative rock scene. Everything else in between or after is thrown in for good measure.

Don't be put off or even aroused by Thirteen's outfits, it's all about the music: the warm and smooth yet often heavy crunch of guitars, the big live drum sound, and bass lines picked by an obscure mind highlighting influences from the likes of Dirk Lance (Incubus) and P-Nut (311). A little of Zappa can be heard in the guitar lines of S.S.M., an edgy but cool jazz aesthetic in the opening track Jabba Slob, weird and wonderful progressions in Fly by Worlds, and a laid-back groove that defines the closing track Colour Shoot.

Thirteen's crazy but, cool arrangements, syncopated cross-rhythms and freedom within playing are characteristic of the three-piece - back to basics band - guitar, bass and drums.

Degraded Jazz Tones is a well produced album that goes to show what you can do with dead skin, some strings, and a couple of bloody big speakers. Whilst this is an instrumental offering, if you are a fan of Mike Patton and his antics over the years with Mr Bungle, or even a Primus suspect, then you'll certainly enjoy this!

- Music for the ladies of funk, the gentlemen of jazz and the misfits of rock.

- Fly by Worlds, Jabba Slob and S.S.M. are part of the soundtrack on the Moto 'Blitz' DVD released through Factory Media, London.