The first of this month’s Flim Flam sessions featured a debut outing for trumpeter Alex Bonney at this regular improv meet in the basement of Ryan’s Bar, in north London. However, both of the programmed acts made strong impressions.

In the first set by a trio comprising reeds player Ricardo Tejero, Dominic Lash on double bass and Mark Sanders on drums and percussion, the anticipated high standard was set. These commanding musicians journeyed through a myriad of phases with complementary but contrasting contributions. Sharp percussive sheens and scrapped cymbal effects by Sanders were rounded upon by a mid-range drone from Lash exploiting the scope for electronic sounds in acoustic music. Macabre blues-inflicted lines by Tejero were set against a strong rhythmic pulse by Lash. Sanders worked steadily against this drive, creating rhythmic tension in the push and pull between Lash’s beat and his own off-beat.

There was something decidedly feral about the second set with Alex Bonney on trumpet, Mark Hanslip on tenor saxophone, Olie Brice on double bass and Mark Sanders again on drums and percussion. It began with seemingly greater attention to communication than to playing. At worst this can have an alienating effect on the audience, but not in this case. It was fascinating to see how Hanslip and Bonney would respond to each other’s questions and assertions. They respectfully eyed each other up like two untamed beasts unsure of the other’s intensions. During the early stages the interactive statements were deliberate and terse. Sanders moved in and out time, systematically dragging the pulse off the implicit groove. Using Harmon mute Bonney manipulated his sonic textures: from full-bodied to shrill, from regal to meek, but coherently driven by melodic thought throughout. In sparse, brooding mode themes ricocheted around the quartet in the midst of multi-textural percussive atmospherics and a-melodic asides. The horns laid low while Brice’s tight phrases arrested attention through their repetition, concision and catchy rhythmic structure, only to return with haunting shrieks and looming sub-tones. For those who like an element of the wild in their music you won’t go wrong with this group. –- Joseph Kassman-Tod

Bonney / Hanslip / Brice / Sanders next play at The Con Cellar Bar, Camden on Monday 1 March.