Some time back I had the opportunity to review the rough mixes of this new release from Ut Gret and my first reactions continue to hold true so bear with me as I repeat myself somewhat. For those unfamiliar with the band, they hail out of Louisville, Kentucky and consist of: Gregory Acker (flutes, saxophones, Didgeridoo, percussion), Joee Conroy (guitars, fretless bass, electric Sitar, Bouzouki, viola), Steve Good (clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon), Gary Pahler (drums, percussion), Stephen Roberts (keyboards, Mellotron, piano, trumpet), James Vaughn (cello), Denny Whalen (electronics), Dane Waters (vocals) and last but far from least is Ruric Amari who provides the dancing. This is the band’s third studio release of music they freely admit is hard to categorize or describe, but here goes. The new disc is called Radical Symmetry and is made up of eleven tracks ranging in length from a very brief :48 seconds which is perhaps more of a musical interlude to a rather lengthy 16:16. If you’ve never heard Ut Gret before this disc will be a real treat. The band structure their musical direction around a progressive rock feel but then inject all sorts of unusual instruments and sounds as well as a wide range of ethnic or world influences. They play like a jazz ensemble, with lots of individual solos coming in and out of the compositions; sometimes the notes are quite angular and even dissonant, but rarely to any lengthy degree. But to my ears what caught me off guard, is that while Ut Gret aren’t afraid to take these little musical excursions, they promptly return to some really meaty melodies and rhythms. Take for example the first track “Insect Probe” [3:22], where within seconds we’re into a rolling King Crimson kind of vibe that builds in intensity until it plateaus musically with woodwinds providing a lilting melody over top of the proceedings. It’s light and upbeat and yet totally serious in direction. The second track “Souvenir City” [6:18] begins with various reeds, woodwinds and other sounds all in a kind of “tuning up” mode for the first 60 seconds setting stage for a really subdued and very cool jazzy combo number that features vocals. This is a very neat track that returns to various themes over and over again. But my all time favorite track is “A Walk in the Garden” [5:09] with its beautiful melodies and flute work it’s really a moving piece of music. There is so much going on musically that it’s difficult to really describe; one minute it’s very avant-garde and the next it’s rumbling heavy prog, then out of nowhere the music sounds Middle Eastern, then were back to a jazzy feel and then it’s Asian no wait it’s almost ambient. It’s mind-blowing!

 

"Ut Gret’s Radical Symmetry is perhaps more progressive rather than Progressive Rock although there are certainly times where the rock part is very present. It’s just that there are so many other influences vying for attention. This is a disc that never really gets boring. The compositions are so layered and involved that you hardly can remember everything your hearing from start to finish. If you like your prog on the more avant-garde side, Ut Gret will definitely fill-the-bill and I’d recommend you give them a listen. " Jerry Lucky
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