<\/p>\n
From <\/strong>London The harp is having a resurgence in jazz. Instrumentalists such as Nala Sinephro, Alina Bzhezhinska, Marysia Osu and Brandee Younger have recently released records that reference the decades-old legacies of harp pioneers Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby while creating new fusions of ambient electronics, soul and free jazz. The latest entry into this burgeoning genre is London-based trio Flur. Comprised of harpist Miriam Adefris, saxophonist Isaac Robertson and drummer Dillon Harrison, the group produce a distinctly off-kilter take on the harp combo, harnessing the lushness of its sound as a counterpoint to angular melodies and textural rhythm.<\/p>\n Having cut their teeth as band members for the likes of flautist Shabaka Hutchings, producer Floating Points and vocalist Ganavya, the group revel in a downtempo restlessness on their debut album, Plunge. The songs Nightdiver and Over Under play through a meditative selection of sweeping harp string runs before Robertson\u2019s atonal, long-drawn saxophone lines stop the compositions from settling into a predictable mood. Then Bolete interweaves percussive harp plucking with Harrison\u2019s fractal groove and jarring scrapes of synth sounds, and Hold Fast Old Kelp riffs off a lo-fi electronic loop that is so sparse it feels on the verge of falling apart.<\/p>\n It is this sense of anticipation and unpredictability that makes Flur so engaging. Their ambience is cut through with unease and their dynamism combined with a loping swing. In this trio\u2019s hands, the harp is more than just a soft and comforting sound. With headline live shows still to come, their evolution of the instrument\u2019s potential seems unbound. Ammar Kalia<\/em><\/p>\n
Recommended if you like<\/strong> Nala Sinephro, Ambrose Akinmusire, Moritz von Oswald Trio
Up next<\/strong> Debut album Plunge out 5 September<\/p>\nThis week\u2019s best new tracks<\/h2>\n