Eclectic Maybe Band - 2025 - Cosmic Light Clusters

(68:37; Discus Music)

Here we have the fifth album from Eclectic Maybe Band, a collective organised by Univers Zero bassist Guy Segers who brings together a pool of creative progressive musicians to either play and improvise on his compositions or collectively compose live in the studio, with further work then often taken by Segers later. The physical release contains not only the lyrics for those songs which have vocals but also details who plays on what track which is important given no two songs have the same line-up and there may be as many as a dozen musicians involved in one piece of music.

In some ways it is reminiscent of Øresund Space Collective and their approach to space rock, while the way the music is constructed and brought together is similar to the work undertaken by the late Robin Taylor, except in both cases this feels far more earthy and real with less emphasis on electric guitars and synthesisers. In some ways it feels like the clashing together of multiple worlds with RIO and free jazz on one hand, progressive rock and avant on another, all coming together in an album where one never knows what is going to happen next, and often that includes not only the listener but also those involved in the performance. There are nearly 30 musicians involved in this particular project, and while musically it does fit in well with the imagery conjured up by the album title and photos, it is also out of left field and quite different to what many in the genre are producing and is all the better for that. Overall this is a great piece of work which need to be played on headphones and really listened to, as this is an unusual and jagged piece of work which somehow is also rounded and surreal. 

Kev Rowland, August 2025

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/EclecticMaybeBand/
https://discus-music.org/