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Luke Bainbridge — Petstep
(Crossing Styx Records CSX001, 2026, CD / LP / DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-07-20

Petstep Cover art

Luke Bainbridge is a London-based drummer and composer, and Petstep is his sophomore release, following his debut Surface Tension by five years. There is no question about it, this quartet is steeped in the jazz idiom, driven by odd grooves and asymmetrical funkiness. Even on the one vocal tune which embraces a rapping style, the rhythm, jazz grooves, and funkiness are all within reach. In addition to Bainbridge, who provides all the compositions, drums, and vocals on the one track, the group is rounded out by trombonist Kieran McLeod, bassist Huw V Williams, and vibraphonist Ralph Wyld, a lineup that seems to intentionally avoid the traditional chord-based instruments like piano or guitar, although the vibraphone certainly presents a superb alternative to the former. The rhythm section is busy, restless, and succeeds splendidly in pulling off some complex ideas, while the trombone finds room within it all for solos. The set launches with “Hell’s Stairwell” which embraces the mastery of all this quartet can give, the build-up right before the end of the  piece is nothing short  of stunning. The title track, that title being a palindrome, exemplifies many of the tastier ideas that have been committed here, and doesn’t seem like something that would have been inspired by the death of Olive, the family dog, but in fact it was, while the follow-on “Hair of the Dog” initially takes a more melancholic dreamy approach, starting with the bass, later joied by trombone, then vibes, then after descending into a very quiet mid-zone, percussion finally makes its initial appearance, first with the rumble of orchestral drums, later accompanied by some cymbal hits, seemingly building slowly and steadily toward a powerful climax with the group, though the end is much like the beginning. Just singing the rap lyrics while drumming on “Spillage in the Village” (something about anger management...) is a feat in itself, but Willams’ bass manages to make the rhythm patterns even more interesting with the vibes and trombone adding what they can wherever they are able. Following that with the gentle and melodically beautiful “It’ll Pass” seems to be an exercise in contrasts. And with the set closer “Well Farewell,” all of the quartet’s energies are focused as they wander through some of their best work here, building slowly to a busy climax. All taken, Petstep makes for a magnificent listen, beginning to end.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Luke Bainbridge

More info
http://www.lukebainbridge.com/petstep

 

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