Chances are that you are already familiar with the playing of Anna Butterss [they/them] – without knowing it. The bassist has already recorded with Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius, Andrew Bird, 400 unit or Jeff Parker. Butterss prefers to work with guidelines in order to relieve their own perfectionism, they recently admitted in a recent interview with HHV magazine. Collaborations help. But what about making their own music. »The best way for me to do that, I’ve found, is to set myself a discrete and focused task«, they let us know in the promo blurb. »Mighty Vertebrate«, Butterss’ debut on quality Jazz label International Anthem, thus, originated out of ten concrete prompts.
Some are variations of a phrase, others built around a sample. Appropriately, all songs feel as if made of a single piece, individually. All of them are concise instrumentals, straightforwardly developing a motif. Stylistically, this allows Butterss to pull all the stops. While Jazz is at the heart of the »Mighty Vertebrate«, a host of other genres are flowing through its veins, say, Hip-Hop, Lofi Pop, Post-Rock, New Age, Blues, Electronica. Alas, such hyper-fixated songs let the album frazzle. I’ve repeatedly caught myself listening to it on the side like I would treat an eclectic playlist. That is a strength, too. To shine in the background is one of the best abilities a musician can have.
