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Bristolian duo Run Logan Run have represented a vital facet of their city's booming alt-jazz scene for a few years now, having issued their debut long-player to generous plaudits back in 2018. Now releasing LP #3, the drum-saxophone duo have gone through a line-up change that has ultimately emphasised the more dance-floor-friendly elements of their work.

Though jazz has tended to be seen as a chiefly cerebral genre over the past clutch of decades, it wasn't always that way—indeed, the style's origins lay in the breathless sphere of the high-octane party and, though Run Logan Run ultimately push forward into new territory rather than looking back to their style's past, their rhythmic intensity and propulsive motion does serve as a timely reminder of jazz's fundamentally energetic origins. Boasting crisp production to go with the pair's evocative soundstages and deft performances, For A Brief Moment We Could Smell The Flowers is a striking example of contemporary jazz that at once seems to be both aware of its roots and eager in its exploration of its style's potential futures.

Released by Bristol outfit Worm Discs, For A Brief Moment We Could Smell The Flowers' physical release has been produced to rarefied standards. Spread across a single heavyweight black vinyl LP, the album certainly looks great; manufactured by Germany's exceptional Pallas — a pressing plant entirely accustomed to producing audiophile-grade discs — the record sits flat and warp-free upon the platter in the case of our copy and also boasts tidy surfaces free of the scuffing which can appear with frustrating frequency on new LPs held to slacker standards than this particular release.

The mastering is also excellent, imparting to the listener a balanced auditory footprint in which the drums, sax and synthesised bass all boast an equal command. Best of all, the disc's actual playback is superb; entirely free of surface noise in the case of our example...we really couldn't ask for a better listening experience.

The cover itself is perhaps a little less extravagant than the record it houses but, nevertheless, it looks great, boasting an example of classy minimalism on its cover, and also feels reasonably sturdy in-hand, having been manufactured from a decent cardstock. The release also includes a full-colour LP-sized insert, offering liner notes, images of the band and detailed credits on one side and a further instance of abstract art on the other. Evidently a labour of love both from Run Logan Run and Worm Discs, the vinyl release of For A Brief Moment We Could Smell The Flowers speaks of a real attention to detail that few similarly-sized indie outfits show in their own vinyl releases.

BUY FOR A BRIEF MOMENT WE COULD SMELL THE FLOWERS ON VINYL.

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