Simon Herody / Water From Mars / Records We Release Records

As its title, “Water From Mars”, might suggest, Simon Herody’s second long-player for Music From Memory affiliated imprint, Records We Release Records, acts as the score for an imaginary trip to The Red Planet. The label have described Herody’s music as “ambient-informed jazz”, and Ban Ban Ton Ton’s own Cal Gibson called Herody’s debut, “Hard Lounge”, a mix of Sven Wunder and Brian Eno. Here, again, Herody’s saxophone chops largely lead the way. On “So Quiet Here”, it’s backed by IDM-esque electronica and a bulbous, wonky, almost acid, bass-line. On “Just You & I” the instrument forms the seductive, sexy centre of alien, glitchy R&B.“Spectral Odysee”, cosmic fusion, set at a slow, sunstroked tempo, has the reed roar like an elephant, before launching into circular breathing somersaults and a rasping solo. “Watakama” has its squeals compete with flute, woodwind flights, weird, wired emissions and birdsong over a broken, boom bap beat. In keeping with the album’s concept, “Discovery…