Misdirection

Finn Rees, one of the key members of Melbourne’s bubbling music scene, announces his debut solo album, Dawn Is A Melody on Mr Bongo with the first single, ‘Looking Up’. As part of 30/70 and Close Counters his previous work has found form in its groove, Dawn Is A Melody instead places the piano and arrangements centre stage, embracing a timeless warmth infused with bittersweet melodies and saturated textures.
 
The lead single ‘Looking Up’ is a divine dose of uplifting, soul-rousing optimism that kicks off the album. A blank canvas for Finn and a whole host of Melbourne’s finest talent to fill with colour. Sitting between spiritual and cinematic, the track instantly envelops you in a swell of vintage hues, Lucky Pereira feathering the drums as Blakely McLean Davies riffs on the double bass. Finn’s fingers flow across the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano, delicately dancing around Siwei Wong’s stunning harp playing as the track builds and breaks. A sublime string section made up of Chloe Danger, Eunise Cheng, Nils Hobiger and McLean Davies, alongside shimmering vocal harmonies by 30/70 bandmate Allysha Joy, lift the track to limitless heights.
 
Finn’s layered synthwork on the Moog and Prophet provides a contemporary touch to proceedings, but one of the beauties of ‘Looking Up’ and the rest of the Dawn Is A Melody is its inability to be placed by age or era. A blend of inspirations from Arthur Verocai to Alice Coltrane, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson to Kamasi Washington, tied together with recording and mix engineer Henry Jenkin’s vintage recording setup warmth.
 
Just as the swell washed in at the start, the tide draws ‘Looking Up’ to a close, fading back out across the horizon as the sun sets another story.

Finn Rees - Looking Up

FiNDiNG CLEO - Alike

Hold On

On debut album ‘While I'm Distracted’, London-based New Zealander Arjuna Oakes draws inspiration from contemporary soul and jazz, touches of global folk, electronica, modern classical, and post-rock, with dynamic arrangements and production. ‘While I'm Distracted’ is an album about fighting for your innocence and right to be a vulnerable and honest human. Arjuna’s songwriting explores themes of identity, depression, existentialism, social media, loss of innocence, and finding hope for the future through artistic expression.

“I'm obsessed with albums,” says Arjuna. “I've made seven EPs, but needed time to tackle a full length record. I was using the EPs to learn the craft of how to make a great album, much like a director will make short films before they make a feature. I wanted to take the listener on a journey and spark their imagination. Hopefully the album expresses complex emotions, rather than having an intellectual concept. I'd rather ask questions than answer them”.

Across the album, Arjuna performs vocals, piano, keyboards, synths, production, and wrote the string arrangements. He’s joined by Harrison Scholes on bass, Jo Jenkins and Andre Smith on guitar, Sam Notman on drums, Louisa Williamson on saxophone, Nathan Haines on flute, Kate King on french horn, Leah Thomas on clarinet, Hilary Hayes and Emma Colligan on violin, Chris Van Der Zee on viola, Charley Davenport on cello, Zane Hawkins on percussion, James Macewan on trumpet, and additional production by Callum Mower.

Following the release of his debut EP ‘The Watcher’ in 2019, Arjuna has released various  projects including ‘First Nights’ and ‘Final Days’ (collaborations with longtime friend and co-producer Serebii), released by LA-based record label Innovative Leisure (BADBADNOTGOOD, Allah-Las). ‘First Nights’ debuted at  #5  on KCRW’s top 30 Albums chart with play on BBC 6 Music and BBC 1Xtra. He recently performed for the New Zealand Olympic team in Paris, supported Nathan Haines at The Jazz Cafe, and played sold out shows at 91 Living Room and Servant Jazz Quarters in London.

While I'm Distracted

Catch Me

SELF LOVE

Due To The Circumstances

Please Me

#2red moon.mp3

Best of Glenn Ricks – Reggae Infused brings together the finest tracks of Glenn Ricks with The Jamaica Band’s signature reggae touch. Smooth grooves, soulful melodies, and timeless island vibes make this a must-listen for reggae lovers everywhere.

The Jamaica Band - At Last - Reggae Soul Radio Edit

🇺🇸
This track circles around “Infelicità… troppo amara, davvero.”
 Unhappiness—really too bitter to swallow.

Life’s bitterness keeps coming back
 (“L’amaro torna sempre, lo sai.” — Bitterness always returns.)

 and sometimes even the scent of good things fades away
 (“Nell’amaro, il profumo sparisce.” — In bitterness, even the scent disappears.)

People say you need misfortune to recognize happiness,
 but I just hope happiness doesn’t forget its way back to me—
 and that I don’t disappear inside the bitterness.

🇰🇷
이 노래는 “Infelicità… troppo amara, davvero.”
 불행은… 정말 너무 쓰다는 감정에서 시작돼.

쓴맛은 늘 돌아오고
 (“L’amaro torna sempre, lo sai.” — 쓴맛은 늘 돌아와.)

때로는 향도 사라지지
 (“Nell’amaro, il profumo sparisce.” — 쓴맛 속에선 향도 사라져.)

불행을 알아야 행복을 안다고들 하지만,
그 긴 쓴맛 속에서도 행복이 나를 잊지 않길 바랄 뿐.

Catch Me

Albert's Favourites

Related tracks