Mr Rencore started out as a duo in 2006 – and Gabrio Baldacci and Daniele Paoletti had been playing together “in any genre” for a decade and a half even then. Three years later, they were joined by Beppe Scardino, like Baldacci a member of Gianluca Petrella's Cosmic Band, an ensemble inspired by Sun Ra, Frank Zappa and Duke Ellington. For this album, they're further augmented by New York's Tim Berne, brining with him his singular vision of skewed soul and hardcore R&B. The results are less violent than one might expect from the twin animal carcasses that adorn the album sleeve. Punk is in there, as is jazz, but there are as many other influences as the respective thumbnail CVs of the four musicians might suggest. There's a hint of Zappa, or John Zorn, in the speed with which the group navigates these influences, less blended than encountered sequentially. The sudden changes in direction and dynamics make for a thrilling, if not entirely satisfying listen.