2014 Barclaycard Mercury Prize - An Album of the Year "Jazz, techno, hip-hop and dubstep are glimpsed here, but for all the looping motifs and dance floor vibes, this is the work of three sure-footed improvisers with deep jazz roots". The Guardian "I think they're special...;and the response has been amazing" Gilles Peterson 6 Music To celebrate the inclusion of v2.0 as a Barclaycard Mercury Prize album of the year, GoGo Penguin are releasing a deluxe digital edition of v2.0 with three killer tracks from the original album sessions! Released here for the first time is the incessant 'Break' featuring a killer groove that offers a not to the one and only Squarepusher, 'Wash', a haunting slice of the band at their most ambient and the wonderful 'In Amber', the first track that the band wrote completely together. The title of which was inspired by a book by Kurt Vonnegut where he describes us all as 'trapped in the amber of the moment' in reference to time happening all at once rather than in a linear fashion. The release is launched with an intimate hometown gig at the Soup Kitchen on October 21st, with support from local lad and rising star Werkha in a live performance. In addition the guys are giving fans a chance to win a meet & greet and package of goodies with a remix completion in conjunction with SoundCloud. See here http://gogopenguin.co.uk/remix-competition/ GoGo Penguin's skittering break-beats, telepathic interplay and a penchant for anthemic melody all contribute to a sound that's wholly their own. Pianist Chris Illingworth's yearning classical influenced melodies are filtered through the dance music energy of bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner. Their instrumentation might be the archetypal piano trio but while the melodic, harmonic and structural ideas are influenced by both classical and jazz the rhythms are drawn from left field electronica and it's this meeting of opposites that makes their unique acoustic-electronica sound so exciting and creates such an interesting and emotionally rich palate for the listener - as drawing on a heady brew of influences from Brian Eno, John Cage and Squarepusher to Manchester's grey rain-streaked urban streets they create a brave new sound all their own. UK press praise for GoGo Penguin v2.0 "It's obvious why the Manchester clubs are jumping to this band." The Guardian "Jazz, techno, hip-hop and dubstep are glimpsed here, but for all the looping motifs and dance floor vibes, this is the work of three sure-footed improvisers with deep jazz roots". The Guardian "[v2.0] showcases a group marking out their own musical world" The Times "A really brilliantly modern piano trio that takes in the whole history of music. I think they're really special." - Jamie Cullum / BBC Radio 2 "I think they're special...;and the response has been amazing" Gilles Peterson 6 Music "A stirring re-evaluation of what a piano trio should sound like in the 21st century"'¨ - Barclaycard Mercury Prize "GoGo Penguin have barged their way to the front of this crowded playing field with a sharp-elbowed sound that's as intelligently accessible as it is belligerently danceable"'¨ - Jazzwise "GoGo Penguin will win an audience way beyond the jazz dives" - MOJO "v2.0 has the potential to be one of those rare albums that genuinely resonates with an audience outside jazz" - JazzUK "Anthemic riffs and skittering grooves..pushes the acoustic piano trio into the future" Jazzwise "v2.0 is an energetic album... it takes classical and jazz rhythms and pushes them into the world of electronica". Echoes "GoGo Penguin continue to stretch the piano-trio formula into the future" - The Quietus "v2.0 is the sound of a band moving forward...; further establishing GoGo Penguin as one of the most exciting young bands on the contemporary scene" All About Jazz "Sometimes an album stops you in your tracks. The brilliant jazz-meets-electronica release from this remarkable Mancunian trio, is one of them". Spotify "This music has all the hallmarks of 21st century Britain, an island afloat on an ever shifting sea of underground beats and rhythms". Ancient to Future "v2.0 could easily stake its claim as the most original and accessible jazz piano trio album of new music to emerge from these shores" - Marlbank "GoGo Penguin courageously stretches the boundaries of modern hybrid music into new and incendiary regions...;smoothly incorporates elements of electronica, trip hop, jazz and classical music, with the explosiveness and anthemic melodiousness of quality rock"."'¨ - Igloo Magazine

Nacido en Chiba, Japón, Yasushi Karasawa aprendió piano de su madre cuando era niño y pronto comenzó el proceso de exploración musical. Sus primeras influencias fueron Yellow Magic Orchestra y el gran Ryuichi Sakamoto, lo que lo llevó a ahorrar el dinero de bolsillo para un sintetizador analógico Yamaha CS-15 y una platina de casete doble para grabar. Como es el caso, la exploración musical lleva a uno en todo el mundo al Jazz de los Estados Unidos, y en su caso fue un disco prestado de Bill Evans lo que despertó su interés en el piano Jazz. Estudiando en la escuela secundaria y luego en la universidad, enamorado de Evans y, naturalmente, de Herbie Hancock, el escenario estaba listo. Actuó en los Tokyo Jazz Clubs y tocó en una banda de pop, pero pronto se volvió hacia el estudio y su propia música con el proyecto apodado N'Sawa Saraca. La historia simple es familiar, pero la pieza que falta es la profundidad de la comprensión musical de Karasawa que se manifiesta en su segundo álbum, Another Town. Uno puede escuchar a Evans y la edad de oro del Jazz interpretada a través de la lente de un estudiante japonés ansioso. Y, sin embargo, el ritmo es bastante moderno, con matices de influencias que se abren paso, como Terrace Martin o Aaron Parks. Todo esto se hace con pleno respeto, elaborando las influencias a su propio fluir discretamente entretejido y onírico. N'Sawa Saraca logra capturar todos los solos de jazz pesado dentro de un marco flotante suave, realzado por la voz fluida de Raphael Sebbag de la organización United Future.

Fuera de existencia

La vocalista suiza Lucia Cadotsch regresa con su célebre trío Speak Low para su segundo álbum, lanzado por We Jazz Records el 27 de noviembre. "Speak Low II" presenta a Cadotsch en la voz, Otis Sandsjö en el saxofón tenor y Petter Eldh en el contrabajo. y presenta a los artistas invitados Kit Downes en el órgano hammond y Lucy Railton en el violonchelo. "Speak Low II" retoma el punto donde lo dejó su álbum debut innovador y con visión de futuro, introduciendo nuevos matices en el sonido de la banda y también sumergiéndose aún más en las canciones que abordan. Lo que hace que Speak Low sea especial es su enfoque para llegar realmente al corazón de cada composición con medios aparentemente mínimos, pero generando un sonido que es instantáneamente reconocible y notablemente impactante. "Speak Low II" llega casi cinco años después del aclamado debut de la banda y demuestra la profundidad del enfoque de la banda desde el principio. En el centro de la operación del trío está la apertura a su amor por la música y a las escenas circundantes. El álbum se presenta como una colección unificada de canciones hechas verdaderamente suyas y encontradas escuchando discos y pasando tiempo con sus amigos músicos, a menudo de viaje. El sonido de la banda altamente evolucionado y la igualdad de los músicos brilla a través del sonido Speak Low, ya que el grupo usa sus más de 100 actuaciones juntas como un vehículo para el desarrollo de su música.

Modern sounds for the 21st century featuring modal, progressive and esoteric contemporary jazz from the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Finland, USA, Belgium, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Germany & Italy. The first 12 volumes of our hugely popular Spiritual Jazz series have unearthed a wealth of historic recordings in the genre, collating a variety of works from the ‘50s to the ‘80s by artists from all around the world. And so, with Volume 13, we turn our attention to what’s happening NOW. Over the course of 24 tracks and spanning 2 x 2LPs, we present an overview of the contemporary exponents of Spiritual Jazz; musicians who are intent on bringing something personal to the table, as much as they recognize the importance of those who have paved the way for them. We feature music recorded within the past 20 years and from 15 different countries, including modern classics from veterans Steve Reid and Idris Ackamoor, providing a vital link between the past masters and the enlightened new generation. It’s pioneers such as John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders et al, with their innovations in reaching another plane of consciousness that was and remains uppermost in the minds of exponents of Spiritual Jazz. Fittingly, several of the artists featured on this compilation, such as Cat Toren and David Boykin, are practitioners of the art of music therapy and sound healing, and have absolute conviction in the role of song as solace. The pioneers may no longer be with us, but their saintly selves loom large, shining a light in the darkness, inspiring many a brave new disciple today, as this album will testify: the new wave of jazz is gathering pace and still sounds fresh, vibrant and as relevant as ever. Available as 2 x 2LP sets each with gatefold sleeves, extensive liners, download card & pics inside.

Modern sounds for the 21st century featuring modal, progressive and esoteric contemporary jazz from the UK, Spain, Netherlands, Finland, USA, Belgium, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Germany & Italy. The first 12 volumes of our hugely popular Spiritual Jazz series have unearthed a wealth of historic recordings in the genre, collating a variety of works from the ‘50s to the ‘80s by artists from all around the world. And so, with Volume 13, we turn our attention to what’s happening NOW. Over the course of 24 tracks and spanning 2 x 2LPs, we present an overview of the contemporary exponents of Spiritual Jazz; musicians who are intent on bringing something personal to the table, as much as they recognize the importance of those who have paved the way for them. We feature music recorded within the past 20 years and from 15 different countries, including modern classics from veterans Steve Reid and Idris Ackamoor, providing a vital link between the past masters and the enlightened new generation. It’s pioneers such as John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Pharoah Sanders et al, with their innovations in reaching another plane of consciousness that was and remains uppermost in the minds of exponents of Spiritual Jazz. Fittingly, several of the artists featured on this compilation, such as Cat Toren and David Boykin, are practitioners of the art of music therapy and sound healing, and have absolute conviction in the role of song as solace. The pioneers may no longer be with us, but their saintly selves loom large, shining a light in the darkness, inspiring many a brave new disciple today, as this album will testify: the new wave of jazz is gathering pace and still sounds fresh, vibrant and as relevant as ever. Available as 2 x 2LP sets each with gatefold sleeves, extensive liners, download card & pics inside.