A new digital single release by Nubdug Ensemble - 52 Pickup is the A-side, A Chip and a Chair is the B-side.
These two tracks are also available on the CD titled Split EP, alongside three tracks by Amanda Chaudhary, a Pest Colors Music / CatSynth Records co-release

"...Berry continues his quest of blending twisty rhythms with harmonic sophistication, aided by a stellar cast of SF Bay Area musicians. It's been stated at this blog before, but it bears repeating that the bigger musical world should be noticing Jason's work more. He's building a very unique body of work, one that blends Jazz, Art Music, Funk, Rock, Prog and whatever other elements that fit into his vision. These and more are to be heard on 52 Pickup and A Chip and A Chair. And oh, how these pieces are performed! Fans of through-composed, highly refined music should take note, if they've not already. Berry's elegant work bears up to repeated listening, a dynamic that said fans seem to crave. It's there y'all, grasp it!"
- Mark Pino, disasteramnesiac.blogspot.com

"Opener 52 Pickup is a jazz infused song, with the assembled guest musicians putting a quirky and neat twist on proceedings, whilst vocalist Jill Rogers nicely ties things together. Also in a jazzy mould is A Chip and A Chair, but the twist here comes from the bassoon, clarinet, saxophones and the idiosyncratic synth work. A great track and a nice companion to Amanda’s Sam Sam’s Theme."
- Bob Mulvey, theprogressiveaspect.net

"The ever wacky, unpredictable and shrewdly fascinating Jason Berry returns with a strange yet wonderful split EP co-led with keyboard wiz Amanda Chaudhary. Mr. Berry plays synths, composed the music here and designed the nifty cover art. You should no doubt recognize a few names here from the Bay area collective: saxist Steve Adams from ROVA Sax Qt, Myles Boisen (from the Splatter Trio) - ace recording engineer, guitarist, mixing & mastering, and John Hanes (from the rhythm team with his brother Hilary who played for Henry Kaiser). Ms. Amanda Chaudhary also plays synths & keyboards and composed 3 of the five short pieces here. Both Mr. Berry and Ms. Chaudhary's music is similar, quirky, charming and not too weird. This EP is only 12 minutes long so I kept playing it over and over. Wish it were longer but it makes me smile nonetheless."
- Bruce Lee Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery

"...Aus der Asche von VTH phönixte das nicht weniger verblüffende Nubdug Ensemble mit „Volume One: The Machines of Zeno“ (2020) und „Volume 2: Blame“ (2021). Warum „Volume 3“ auf sich warten lässt, dazu liefert Berry die Erklärung mit '52 Pickup': Try, try, try / Sigh, sigh, sigh / I feel so tired / So uninspired / I'll get back up and just try again... Jill Rogers singt das, er und Amanda Chaudhary machen den Sound, Brett Warren am E-Bass und John Hanes (Henry Kaiser) an Drums den Groove, den Steve Adams (ROVA) mit Sax & Flute, Chris Grady (The Club Foot Orchestra, The Residents) mit Flügelhorn beschmusen und Myles Boisen mit E-Gitarre aufmöbelt. Diesem durchaus launigen Why, why, why folgt 'A Chip and a Chair', ohne Gitarre, mit Klarinette und Fagott statt Flügelhorn, als keck arpeggierter und geflöteter Chamber Art Rock, der einmal mehr verrät, wie sophisticated Berry den Follies der kalifornischen Traumfabrik seinen eigenen Dreh verpasst. Sein Comic-Cover zeigt dazu über einem Uhrwerk Fortuna, die mit einer Filmspule und Black Jack-Karten tanzt. Chaudhary spielt auf ihrer Pussycat-Seite B-Movie-cool 'For Luna' allein mit kaskadierenden Synth- und Stylophonwellen. 'Sam Sam's Theme' ist ein feliner Pink Panther-Bummel mit Klarinette und Fagott zu Adams' Altosax und Hanes an den Drums. Und 'Merp Friend' führt zu sechst mit Adams' Saxfächer, E-Gitarre, Trompete, Warrens E-Bass und an den Drums niemand Geringerem als G Calvin Weston (James Blood Ulmer, Ornette Coleman, Free Form Funky Frēqs) melodisch und funky durch „Die Straßen von San Francisco“."
- Rigobert Dittmann, Bad Alchemy Magazine

"An interesting morsel of great music here on this split EP, two songs by Nubdug Ensemble and three more by Amanda Chaudhary, making for a grand total of just over twelve minutes of music, give or take. The opening numbers feature Nubdug Ensemble, the first is “52 Pickup,” a crisp and curious – yet overtly elegant vocal tune featuring singer Jill Rogers, supported by electric piano, drums, saxes, electric guitars, bass and flugelhorn, the several sections of the piece are dynamically juxtaposed with contrasting power. This all happens in just over two-and-a-half minutes, and it’s the only vocal piece to be found anywhere on the EP. Next up is “A Chip and A Chair,” co-written by group leader Jason Berry and drummer John Hanes, an instrumental piece of roughly the same length as the opener with a more distinctly chamber feel, with prominent clarinet and flute, something that might fit well into Zappa’s oeuvre. Chaudhary’s opener (she also played keys on both of the Nubdug tracks) is the bouncy and playful “Sam Sam’s Theme,” led by clarinet, bassoon, and a little sax, against what seems like part eastern European folk and part cartoon music; all taken it’s one of the most instantly memorable cuts on the entire EP. Why do I think Sam Sam is a kitten? Most of the musicians in Nubdug Ensemble also feature on Chaudhary’s pieces as well. “For Luna” is a solo explorative synthesizer and percussion piece by Chaudhary, offering numerous layers of strange and curious sounds. The closer “Merp Friend” features a full group including a four-piece horn section, drums, bass and more, with a bold, catchy and colorful main theme delivered on synthesizer, the piece falling somewhere between light fusion and funk. There you have it, five excellent songs, twelve outstanding minutes, and so much to recommend."
- Peter Thelen, expose.org

Another really insightful review by Simone Rossetti at Roots! can be seen here - (in Italian; scroll down the page for English)
www.rootsmusic.it/nubdug-ensemble-amanda-chaudhary-split-ep/