Black Top

Black Top is the latest project of pianist Pat Thomas, one of the most charismatic figures in European improvisation, who will be joined by Steve Williamson and Orphy Robinson. A regular collaborator with such giants as Lol Coxhill, Han Bennink and the late Derek Bailey, Pat Thomas is also renowned for creating bands that apply a free improv blowtorch to all sorts of music, from movie themes to hip hop, always with a flamboyantly accessible flair. Pat describes Black Top as playing improvised dubstep – with lots of broken beats.

Support comes from Spelk, with guitarist Chris Sharkey (Acoustic Ladyland, trioVD), local bassist Andy Champion (whose quintet ACV has recently completed an acclaimed national tour), and drummer Adrian Tilbrook. Because of other commitments, the trio get together very rarely, but when they do, they
really make up for lost time with hugely energetic freely improvised performances in which their shared enthusiasm for experimental rock often rises to the surface.