CHIPS: Microchips, gambling chips, potato chips, a dubious ‘80s motorcycle-cop show, small flaws on a pristine surface, fragments of a disintegrating object, a subtle slice of a golf ball…

Brooklyn based drummer Sean Noonan, the engine room behind crazy free-grunge-jazz power trio The Hub, throws down some musical chips of his own, with help from an assortment of friends. Guitarist Aram Bajakian crashes in like Buckethead on a surfing holiday. It’s good to note on two tracks the presence Jim Pugliese, who still holds a special place in Downtown musical circles, bringing his accumulated wisdom to bear and mixing it with a new generation of improvisers. Fans of The Hub will welcome the contributions of Dan Magay, whilst the insatiably funky bass of Thierno Camara suggests how the trio might sound if Tim Dahl woke up one day and suddenly decided to ditch his pedals – an intriguing thought, but don’t do it just yet Tim!

Sometimes subtle, sometimes disintegrating, sometimes a risky improvisational gamble, never pristine, more satisfying than potato chips, and unlike the soundtrack to any cop show I’ve ever seen, Chips kicks your ass, turns your head and makes you laugh. One final word of advice: if you’re listening to Chips in your car, keep checking your rear-view for approaching traffic cops…

Fred Grand

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