Troker!

I know it’s just their second album, but how are these guys not better known? Troker is a far-out, hard-riffing, technically intricate instrumental band from Guadalajara. It’s tough to bring a jazz sensibility into rock, and vice versa (for all his limitations, Stanley Crouch got it right when he talked about rock staying here in this great groove and jazz restlessly exploring out there) so I’m always impressed by acts like the Lounge Lizards, Herbie Hancock, and Troker that figure out where to find that balance point. There’s local influence in those horns without ever sounding like mariachis, turntablism added as a fun accent rather than a puzzling intrusion, and big whomping beats that appeal to dance floor and intellect alike. These guys could make it big.

Unexpected crossing interests

1. I enjoy country fairs in general and particularly like the grandly named Tunbridge World’s Fair here in Vermont.

2. I also enjoy the music of Walter Piston, particularly his flute concerto. Beyond his compositions Piston is also one of the most influential teachers and musical theorists of the past century.

Piston wrote a wind band piece titled “Tunbridge Fair”!