Trifecta – The New Normal: Album Review

By Mike Ainscoe on 30th April 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Trifecta – the Beggs, Blundell, Holzman combo – pushing buttons and boundaries on The New Normal.

Release Date: 12th April 2024

Label: Kscope

Format: CD / digital / vinyl

The collaboration of singer songwriter Nick Beggs, keyboardist extraordinaire Adam Holzman and internationally renowned drummer Craig Blundell, oft seen with Steven Wilson on record and in his touring band might have had a few thumb twiddling moments of late. What with the resurrection of Porcupine Tree and the non touring Harmony Codex album, the time has been used productively to follow up their debut album Fragments.

All looks in ship shape too as the artwork theme follows suit while the contents remain very much rooted in the blend of Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion and beyond; adding a dash of Pythonesque humour, we’re promised a world where sound is malleable, time is a mere concept and vegetables have otherworldly properties like the ‘Stroboscopic Fennel’. Perhaps not surprising when the trio join forces in their very own e Bermuda Triangle of normality that is Leighton Buzzard, Bedford and New York between 2019 and 2023.

Kicking into Beck And Call, the pattern is established with a series of pieces that number seventeen and range from trio workouts to the more indiviudal focussed pieces. It’s like the Trifecta White Album as Holzman’s jazzy doodles come to the party on Dot Are You Wooing? and What Are You Doing? (with what sounds like Beggs’ ‘vocal accompaniment’) while Beggs gets busy adding a range of (improvised/spur of the moment?) voiceovers. The rhythmic focus of Beggs’ Stoboscopic Fennel is all part and parcel of the musical surrealism that’s matched by the bizarre Sibling Rivalry, all bickering and didgeridoo aptitude that make for a intriguing listen.

When things get a little more serious, the trio hit their marks on Just Feel It Karen and Ornamental Lettuce, where the power trio tag could be easily applied and sees Trifecta working in similar areas to that other bunch of insanely talented musicians The Artistocrats and having a blast while pushing each other’s musical button and boundaries. Chinese Fire Drill sets up a heavy groove allowing for some strange offerings to add decoration ahead of a calming coda. There are certainly odd reminders as Nick is reminded he’s playing John Paul Jones’ very own Chapman stick from 1979 ( the ‘new old stick’) that was sent to Nick and used to record The New Normal.

Not that it’s really obvious, but a couple of notable guests join the trio. Blink and you;ll miss them or never even notice they were there. Alex Lifeson (Envy Of None / Rush) adds additional guitar on the gentle and pastoral Once Around The Sun With You and ace windman Theo Travis brings his saxophone to the party for insectoid grooves of Daddy Long Legs that gives off a mood that smells of American cop show soundtrack (imagine slowly creeping through The Bronx after the bad guys…). Whilst on the subject, add the funky little gem Crime Spree to the same bag.

Light hearted and unpressured, The New Normal finds three top tier musos having fun making music – just think what they could do if they really try!

Here’ ‘s Once Around The Sun With You: