Despite the futuristic graphics on the cover of Great Aviaries, a very strong retro flavor pervades the record. Those familiar with Teo Macero's productions for Miles Davis during his fusion era (eg. Bitches Brew, In A Silent Way ) will immediately recognize a similar approach here. It's that idea of an extended instrumental jam pushed through effects and then assembled into a pastiche-like whole, which is practiced here from start to finish. Whether or how much the jam was edited remains a mystery, as it was on much of Miles's work. Perhaps not at all.

Great Aviaries regularly relies on a beat, though the rhythm remains continually in flux. But Super Numeri is no simple jam band; it's significantly more sophisticated and experimental than the flaccid wankers who predominate in that style. The delicate tinkering at the start of the exceptional beat-less "Otter's Pool," for instance, brings about a sense of mystery and aquatic imagery. "Leisure Lakes," while relaxed in tone, conveys darkness and suspicion. The opener, "The Electric Horse Garden," bears a strong resemblance to the post-rock explorations of Tortoise circa TNT.

For what it's worth, just about every literate review of this record will probably include references to Miles, the jam, and post-rock. It's hard to avoid the obvious. But don't get caught up in the idea that Super Numeri is derivative or stale: not so. Regardless of its usually sonorous tone, Great Aviaries has some moments of real tension--for example, the military square waves of "Beaks." In the end, accessible or not, this is art music. And a rarified form indeed.

Visit Ninja Tune and Super Numeri on the web.

~ Nils Jacobson

Track Listing: The Electric Horse Garden; When The Sun Dials; Beaks; Otter's Pool; Leisure Lakes; The Ember Love; Classic British Ponds; Flaurent Carmin.