Format A3

Format A'3: Pirate

by Matt Cibula
January 21, 2007

I have no idea how to categorize this record, the fourth from this Swiss trio, which calls itself Format A'3. It's hard bop with free inclinations and electronic savvy, and it's also post-rock with funk tendencies, and it's also ambient and fusiony sometimes. So that's a point for the group.

Here's another point: the music is riveting. The album opens up with edgy old-school synth noises on “Ouverture No. 5"; these resolve into a loop and are soon softened by ...