Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."Trip pop featuring Gene Ween," boasts the sticker, as if Ween's, ooh, it must be dozens of fans will rush out and invest in Project Pollen's eponymous debut. As it happens, they'd be the lucky ones, for this is a gem of an album, well worth searching out for its loose, rolling grooves and delicate tonal colouration.
Project Pollen is the work of two sound engineers, previously known for working with US jazz-rap crews (Steve Greenwell) and US indie guitar bands (Ron Paul). The rhythms are cool trip-hop variants for the most part, over which tiny dabs of vibes, sax and trumpet sparkle engagingly; but mercifully, it's not as straitjacketed by history and style as acid-jazz, forming more enigmatic blends of tone and texture. That's not to say they don't stray that way occasionally - the laidback Latino flute shuffle "Maria" could do with a little more of the maverick spirit of exotica auteurs Martin Denny and Esquivel, perhaps - but even so, there's a pleasing variety of textures to luxuriate amongst. And in Dawn Desimone, they've uncovered a singer whose voice possesses an intriguing air of laconic mystery.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments