In Just a few short years Ma carved out a reputation as one of the most interesting of a new wave of electro-jazz outfits. Led by Redsnapper/Outhouse saxophonist, Tom Challenger, an improviser and composer who has been described by Jazzwise as ‘mature beyond his years’ and influenced by the likes of Burial and Supersilent, MA features fellow Loop collective collaborator, drummer Dave Smith, organist Ross Stanley as well as long term friend and collaborator Matt Calvert on electronics. Within a setting of dubby beats and drones, Ma utilise deceptively simple themes as a launch pad for music that is hugely atmospheric but full of powerful improvisation and unexpected textures.

The next year included Ma’s integration of live electronic processing into their Live Sets, through collaboration with Brit-improv legend Steve Arguelles on Laptop. After a successful UK tour, the continuation of this expanded line-up was sought, and a more permanent member was found in old friend, Matt Calvert. With his inclusion and the whole group being processed through his set up, the size of Ma’s sound expanded to include – alongside more dubby elements and beats – sonic explorations of soundscapes that defy the size of the group.

Whilst developing the new material for what would become The Last, individual members also developed other projects at the same time, which in turn filtered into the Ma’s new music. These projects included Challengers involvement with electronic pioneers Red Snapper; Smith’s curating of Outhouse Ruhabi – a collaboration between an improvising jazz quartet and 5 West African Drummers; and Calvert’s involvement with unclassifiable renegades ‘Three Trapped Tigers’. 

The Last was recorded at the turn of 2010 at the Fish Factory recording studios, London, and was subsequently produced and mixed by Calvert. The record was released on the North-London based Loop Collective’s record label, Loop Records.

MA extensively recorded their performances in 2011 and 2012; 'Live' is a collection of live material from that period. The album features Ross Stanley on organ, John Blease and Ben Bryant on percussion. 

Starting out playing a hybrid of jazz/improv/rock/psychedelica, they recorded their first album Jyketie (as a CDR release) at the now sadly defunct, but infamous back room in the Red Rose in Finsbury Park in North London. The album was released in 2008, and was a testament to the earthy lows and blistering highs the band achieved in performance.

It is a culmination of 18 months work combining improv, electronics, live sampling, and synths into their new music. In the process their music has become simplified, with predominantly improvised shows moving slowly between pre- prepared material, during which the band reposition the boundaries of the ‘sonic’ worlds that currently exist within jazz and improvised music. Drawing on dark, abstract dub sound worlds, Ma’s musical process moves beyond the scope of most jazz-electronica projects towards something compelling, cohesive and highly individual. Fiercely interactive, the band contribute ideas simultaneously as compositions are deconstructed, developed and reformed. In turn, this inspires passages of interweaving group improvisation that produce thematic elements that are then subjected to the same processes.