Fast ‘N’ Bulbous - Waxed Oop (Cuneiform Records) Undiminished in relevance and power and unrivalled in its creative vision, the music of Captain Beefheart inevitably lends itself to much reassessment and interpretation, and since reforming the Magic Band in 2003, Gary Lucas (along with John “Drumbo” French), has staked his claim as the primary exponent of the former leader’s complex and intriguing compositions. For the Fast ‘N’ Bulbous project’s second release he again links with composer for another radical take on some already well out-there material. Replacing the original vocals with a four piece brass section and re-casting a selection of guitar-based originals as ensemble interplays between horns, rhythm section and guitar, “Waxed Oop” is a fitting successor to 2005’s acclaimed “Pork Chop Around the Rind”. Comprising twelve new instrumental arrangements, Beefheart favourites such as “Dropout Boogie”, “Click Clack” and “Blubber ‘n’ Smoke” are put to the test before signing off with a bonus “China Pig”, featuring Robin Hitchcock on vocals. Described as mere words this inevitably falls on the wrong side of odd, but in fact it’s handled with skill, sensitivity, and finesse, and actually works a treat. Beefheart devotees are too well schooled in the unpredictable to worry about a little thing like sacrilege, and they will get as much enjoyment from having these familiar tunes refreshed in this way as jazzers will in hearing them for the first time. www.cuneiformrecords.com Neil B. Next