"Wang Chung's Jack Hues breaths new life into his music, looking to legendary figures like Robert Wyatt, Radiohead, and Talk Talk for inspiration and a means to break the monotony of repetition in his performances."
In 2022, Jack Hues, the Canterbury artist and former member of the 80s new wave band Wang Chung, released an album titled Epigonal Quartet with his eponymous quartet. The live album was inspired by a phrase Hues heard on BBC Radio 3 and reflects his shift from his earlier identity into a more prog-jazz territory.
The album features covers from artists like Robert Wyatt, Radiohead, Talk Talk, and Soft Machine, as well as one original piece titled Non-Locality In A Sea Of Electrons. This blend of reinterpretations and original work connects with the progressive and Canterbury scene aesthetics.
Non-Locality In A Sea Of Electrons is quite full-on, featuring a 'ding, ding, ding' motif that was influenced by a 70s Miles Davis track called Black Satin. Hues finds a poignant mood in Talk Talk's songs and sees similarities with Miles Davis' work from the late 60s.
Two of the covers on the album are Robert Wyatt's Sea Song, the significance of which to Hues is not specified. Hues also sang a few songs on the album that were previously instrumental, mimicking the interpretation of the Unthank sisters.
Hues finds Radiohead's music closer to his jazz interpretation than Thelonious Monk's. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi by Radiohead is featured on Epigonal Quartet. Hues also chose Talk Talk's Myrrhman for the album, as he was inspired by Talk Talk's music.
The Quartet, backing Hues, consists of members of Syd Arthur's band and avant-jazz group Led Bib. The live performance energy and band chemistry with these collaborators drive the album's sound.
During the US tour with Wang Chung, they played To Live And Die In LA differently from the record, allowing for a keyboard solo and stretching it out. Hues sees live music as exploratory, different each time.
Epigonal Quartet was named after Beck's Nobody's Fault But My Own, which was featured on a live-in-the-studio EP from 2019. The album's concept and sound are deeply shaped by this fusion of cover reinterpretations and original work. Both drummers in The Quartet, Josh Magill and Mark Holub, get a solo on Epigonal Quartet.
In conclusion, Epigonal Quartet is a testament to Hues' exploration and reinvention within the progressive music scene, showcasing his unique blend of jazz influences and live performance energy.
- Jack Hues, formerly of Wang Chung, released an album titled Epigonal Quartet with his eponymous quartet in 2022.
- The live album, inspired by a BBC Radio 3 phrase, reflects Hues' shift towards prog-jazz territory.
- The album features covers from artists like Robert Wyatt, Radiohead, Talk Talk, and Soft Machine, as well as one original piece titled Non-Locality In A Sea Of Electrons.
- Hues was influenced by a 70s Miles Davis track called Black Satin for the 'ding, ding, ding' motif in Non-Locality In A Sea Of Electrons.
- Weird Fishes/Arpeggi by Radiohead and Talk Talk's Myrrhman are also included on the album.
- The Quartet consists of members from Syd Arthur's band and avant-jazz group Led Bib, contributing to the album's live energy and chemistry.
- During the US tour with Wang Chung, they played To Live And Die In LA differently, allowing for a keyboard solo and stretching it out.
- Epigonal Quartet was named after Beck's Nobody's Fault But My Own, from a 2019 live-in-the-studio EP, and showcases Hues' fusion of cover reinterpretations and original work.
