I guess PALO ALTO fall into the category of Jazz (vague, I know - a wide area under one small word), but they appear unafraid to venture forth into other areas. "Nuit Verte" is based on a primitive rhythm, perhaps having mild Voudoun connections. Harsh sounds shine through like all-too-bright sunlight & sounds filter through in strange experiments. It changes to a more laid back floating thing which tries to appear passive, but cannot restrain the harsh, full-frontal sound which eventually returns with the Westernised jungle rhythm. "La Vie Des Poutres" is another experimental piece - a complex, multi-layered rhythm which keeps a fairly steady central rhythm, although piano, horn & other instruments scamper around it in a far more upbeat way. "Un Homme Déroba" again has a multi-layered composition to it which shows great craft in it's structuring. What I take to be oboe is fairly central to this piece, although singling any one instrument out of the dozens is foolish. Being rhythmic & having a fairly steady central theme, this may have at least one root in GLASS, but has escaped such literate minimalism to build up something far more complex & more at ease with itself. "La Traversée" opens with animal-like noises before becoming a rhythmic piece with a sense of drama to it's clockwork logic. It tinkers along at a medium pace, creating mood despite it's bright clothing."Kader Hydris" has a more passive, calming sound but keeps a strong sense of drama, somewhat understated, layering various instruments to create a swelling effect. "Cible Sans Cil" has a strange, mildly Industrial experimental opening. The track itself has a light, almost comedic soundtrack feel to it. The backing to it is a series of fidgety, presumably found sounds, although it could be a central oddity of non-playing. "Le Cirque Du Renard" closes play - the version I have been sent is on cassette, but I assume all tracks are the same as the CD - again using odd noises which destroy the sound momentarily, as with the first piece. The central rhythmic piece is fairly straightforward but is surrounded by odd noises & minimally-added instruments, all gelling into something mildly dramatic again. Okay, I'll admit it - I know too little about Jazz to make an accurate comparison. The GLASS reference is from a distance, and the other group I'm familiar with who might be compared - STARTLED INSECTS - are fairly pedestrian compared with these. If you've heard what FAMLENDE FORSØK are doing now, these are along similar lines. I admire their willingness to risk criticism for their hard, even dangerous mix. There's also a booklet which comes with the album!!! An interesting recording, at least to a layman like me.Originally reviewed for Soft Watch.