Description
Release Date: 10/01/21
Bristol experimental jazz collectiveâ¯Ishmael Ensembleâ¯reveal their expansive new albumâ¯Visions of Light.
Helmed by producer and saxophonist Pete Cunningham, Ishmael Ensemble's richly inventive 2019 debutâ¯A State Of Flowâ¯marked them out as an explosive new force in UK jazz, imbuing lush cinematic compositions with left-field dub and electronic sensibilities redolent of Bristol's vital musical landscape. NamedThe Guardian'sâ¯'Contemporary Album Of The Month' andâ¯Mojo's 'Jazz Album of The Month', it saw the group performâ¯Maida Valesessions for bothâ¯Gilles Petersonâ¯andâ¯Tom Ravenscroft,â¯as well as feature on compilations forâ¯Brownswood Recordingsâ¯andâ¯Soul Jazz Records. Cunningham's rise as an in-demand producer led to remixes for the likes of techno royaltyâ¯Carl Craig,as well as legendary jazz labelâ¯Blue Note Recordsâ¯alongside a plethora of the UK's finest musical talentâ¯onâ¯Blue Note Re:Imagined.
Ishmael Ensemble has since become a platform for Cunningham to subvert the conventional notions of producer/artist relationships, unsettling genre tags, and transcending the familiar landscape of UK jazz itself. Across the album's 10 tracks, Cunningham practices a holistic approach with a long list of collaborators. Together, they explore vast new sonic terrain with an honesty, intimacy and emotional heft impossible for a conventional band.â¯
Visions Of Lightâ¯tells the story of Ishmael Ensemble's development across its two sides. The first draws from the energy Cunningham and his bandmates discovered whilst extensively touringâ¯A State Of Flow.â¯
The album opens with a cascade of harp glissandos and the gorgeous 'Feather' - Holysseus Fly's lush vocal lulling the listener into a false sense of security, before her voice is warped beyond recognition in the high-octane, cacophonous 'Wax Werk'. The tracks that follow take a darker, heavier turn. The driving, uninhibited performances of Stephen Mullins (guitar) and Rory O'Gorman (drums), along with Jake Spurgeon's agile synth work, lay the foundation for Cunningham to deliver his most confident and direct saxophone performances to date.
Label: REPUBLIC OF MUSIC |
Genre: Jazz |
Language: English |
Run Time: 00:01 mins |
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.