Restless Guests by Otis Jordan & Band

Otis Jordan arrives back on the label and this time with a newly formed magic band of relentless, folkie all-stars including regular collaborators Molly Linen, Finn Rosenbaum, Sam Mcloughlin and Dan Bridgewood-Hill. The title ‘Restless Guests’ rings true as the album was recorded live onto reel-to-reel in a single day session and is made up entirely of first takes and improvisations. Confirming Jordan’s abilities as a bandleader, composer and multi-instrumentalist live performer as he takes on guitar, synth, clarinet and piano duties throughout the epic session in April 2021 at Green Door Studio, Glasgow.

Where the 2020 album ‘Dodger Point’ demonstrated the cut and paste stylings and web-like intricacies within Jordan’s studio work. ‘Restless Guests’ presents another feather in his cap, effortlessly and humbly turning in a live album of nimbly structured songs that lean towards jazz and psych territories. Channelling Sun Ra and Moondog as much as local legends and peers Samandtheplants and Graham Massey’s Toolshed. Anyone that caught the live band during their UK tour in 2021 may recognise various motifs and melodies but the line-up assembled here have realised these pieces at their most captivating and coherent.

Although Jordan’s sweetly mellow voice does appear on the album to remind us that this is the work of a skilled songwriter, the allure of ‘Restless Guests’ lies in the players and the instrumentation. Somehow catapulting the listener once again into the warped and wonderful world of Otis Jordan but this time with a handpicked band to anchor the experience.

otisjordan.com