Insufficient Funs - Chunk - Diatribe Records | 2026
Fun is often an overlooked idea in jazz and improvised music discourse, a wrong that Chunk seeks to right! The debut album from Irish duo Insufficient Funs is an affable yet gritty presentation of what an improvising ensemble can be. Make no mistake, this is not a fledgling release; it comes 10 years after the group’s formation and self-titled EP.
Dublin-based drummer Mathew Jacobson and Belgium-based Irish saxophonist Sam Comerford have been long-time collaborators, playing together in
groups such as Aerie and Umbra. Performing since 2016, with a repertoire consisting mostly of Jacobson’s compositions, Insufficient Funs are noted for their
energetic live shows and have attracted comparisons to acts as diverse as Ed Blackwell, Don Cherry, Eric Dolphy, Radiohead and Nirvana. The curious
combination of drums and the rare bass saxophone sets a spacious arena for the duo to explore.
Chunk is not an album that shies away from extremes, with the duo diving into ideas with childlike exuberance. Mixing contemporary composition with classic jazz language and free improvisation, it’s groove-laden and punchy, with lots of quiet, pensive moments full of suspense. Wild sections, teetering on the edge of ludicrous, are juxtaposed by lyrical beauty. On top of the 7 original compositions, the listener is treated to a fresh look at a couple of old standards.
The opening track, Worn Key, starts as if we are already mid-tune. It’s a boisterous opening that perfectly sets up the bold 55 minutes to come. As a track, it’s almost a microcosm of the group’s approach. Comerford’s bass saxophone seamlessly swaps between basslines, riffs, and melodies. Jacobson, underneath, provides ample texture, groove, and dynamics to steer the tune from the frantic opening melody to a more riff-based section and, later, to quieter, more introspective territory before building to a climactic conclusion. The use of some post-production effects, like echoes and fast panning, adds to the quirky feel of the piece without taking away from the “live” sound.
Chunk, the title track, offers a jaunty, funky introduction before moving to some freer interaction between Jacobson and Comerford. It’s a tune that, excitingly, never settles, with ideas and textures quickly developing and evolving.
A real standout on this record is the rendition of Vincent Youmans’ Tea For Two. Starting with a soulful, solo introduction from Comerford that is both lyrical and lively. Intertwining melancholic wails with amusing call-response lines. Jacobson joins in the melody with hard-swinging, interactive comping. Comerford provides a masterful solo, borrowing tastefully from the melody. The straight-ahead, near-traditional presentation sits cheekily amongst the modern repertoire.
Steamm Thaw and If Not contribute atmospheric character with open interplay, which is also present in the motivic And Much, where the duo blend groove and fluid interaction. The final track, Cicaplast, previously recorded for Jacobson’s group ReDiviDeR, is a slow burn, with a single melody repeated with interjections of free improvisation, culminating in an intense, rhythmic apex.
This record highlights Comerford’s musical flexibility. Effortlessly moving between intricate melodies, inspired improvisations, supportive basslines, and textural backgrounds.
Jacobson’s compositional dexterity is really on show. Experimenting with form and texture, while providing punchy grooves and catchy riffs. The lines between composition and improvisation are, in moments, stark and in others almost entirely blurred, with composition serving as a catalyst for improvisation.
Without being frivolous, Chunk is never too earnest. It’s crafted and masterful music presented jovially. Serious fun!
Chunk is available now from Diatribe Records as a digital download or as a limited physical edition featuring custom-printed dice with a QR code.
