If you ever wondered what ambient music of the 21st century could sound like, then you should explore the musical spheres of “ifsonever”. This colorful debut-album draws a blueprint of an urban ambient club record of a parallel universe. A collage of beautifully improvised pieces, strictly recorded in “one takes”. A gripping fusion that brings together the warm analog textures of classic vintage synthesizers and electronic urban ambiences.

Trying to appreciate the recent times of silence and deceleration, Daniel Helmer aka ifsonever has quickly developed a tonal language as a solo artist. With a non-compromising approach he would visit his studio, a cozy garden shed, to record one new track a day in strictly analog fashion as “one takes”. His aim for this project was to capture the innocence and instinctive creative energy of the present moment. These 9 timeless pieces invite the listener to explore hypnotic and meditative atmospheres such as on the opener “transpose” or on “jonesy dreams of birds”, as well as gloomy and almost mystical sounding tracks such as “total global” or “an unexpected error has occurred”. ifsonever is a wonderful amalgamation of organic, laid-back sounds and electronic, club oriented elements.
 
Recorded at a time when social contact was forbidden and culture was at a standstill, many professional musicians felt challenged not to feel useless when performances and sessions in public were cancelled, while the need for expression, participation and communication persisted. What happens when you've read all your books, when you're tired of looking at screens, and when you're digitally saturated? Then the unbearable lightness of being will begin. Daniel Helmer decided to let his creativity flow into a picture depicting that moment in time. He gave himself the opportunity to reflect this period through the creation of music. Not always an easy thing to do when the only social interactions would be cats passing by or the sound of children playing nearby. However that can be exactly the perfect tranquil surrounding to ground oneself in the here and now and draw inspiration from the inside. This self titled album reflects a peaceful journey from start to finish.

“ifsonever” offers a timeless ambience to help you slow down, reflect and enjoy the beauty of nothingness. It might help us to learn and accept a state of being unutilized without feeling futile and benefit from this rare silence.

ifsonever

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Today's exclusive, "South Of The Sun", is a laidback slice of jazz fusion and soul from UK based pianist, drummer, composer and producer, Hamish Balfour, that carries us away on its irresistible groove. 

On his electrifying debut for London's Shapes of Rhythm, Balfour draws upon jazz, funk, soul and electonic music, bridging the gap from classic Blue Note to Warp via Sonar Kollektiv.

Hamish Balfour should be a recognisable face to jazz addicts. The go-to keys player has performed and recorded alongside American jazz drumming legend Harvey Mason, Tenderlonious, The Temptations, Odyssey, Faze Action, Yolanda Charles' Project PH, Bassically, Nim Quartet and Yam Who. Popping up not only in the credits of many sought-after albums, but also Channel 4, ITV and BBC programmes for his compositions on various shows.

Over the course of eleven tracks, Balfour folds in and explores his influences, with a wide yet highly cohesive and strong palette of sounds, whilst interacting with high caliber guest vocalists such as spoken word artist and broken beat icon, Lyric L (Seiji, Nathan Haines), London Elektricity and Hospital Records’ star vocalist Elsa Esmeralda, award-winning and chart-storming singer-songwriter Belle Humble (Freestylers, Paloma Faith) and soul and house mainstay Andre Espeut (Afriquoi, Simbad, Faze Action).

Responsible for all piano, synths, percussion and production on the album, Balfour’s musicality shines through, a reminder of how overdue this debut album as leader is. However, in addition to the incredible vocalists, he’s joined by some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians: James Copus (trumpet), Pete Matin (bass),  Laurie Lowe and Saleem Raman (drums) and Rob Updegraff (guitar).

"South Of The Sun" is the album's laid-back moment with Roy Ayers-type vibrations as bass and drums sit in the pocket (at least to begin with), whilst a Rhodes weaves its magic, taking us on a few twists and turns before returning to the main feel-good motif.

Running Colours

Exclusive Premiere: Hamish Balfour "South Of The Sun" (Forthcoming on Shapes of Rhythm)

Guido Spannocchi live at Porgy & Bess Vienna 2022
Double album on red vinyl, CD & digital available on audioguido.bandcamp.com

Danny Keane piano & electric piano
Ruth Goller electric bass
Pete Adam Hill drums

Recorded live at central Europe's most important Jazz Club "Porgy & Bess" Vienna during an extensive tour this double album consists of original compositions by Vienna born London based saxophonist Guido Spannocchi with his quartet showing stunning interplay by one of the UK’s most exciting ensembles.

Release show will be two consecutive nights at London’s esteemed Ronnie Scott’s Jazzclub on 16th  & 17th June 2023

The tracklist reads like a “best of” of Spannocchi’s compositions from previous albums which are mostly sold out yet we hear these in entirely new arrangements as well as it also contains new works. The music is firmly embedded in the tradition yet with a strong grip onto the present and a glimpse into the future of Spannocchi’s trajectory.

The band were particularly tight that day as it was mid tour but they also weren't aware of this show being recorded, which means they weren't playing it safe, this makes this recording particularly engaging and fresh. 

The band are: 
Ruth Goller on bass known for her work with Vula Viel, Melt Yourself Down, acoustic ladyland and Shabaka Hutchins

Danny Keane on piano and Rhodes known for his work with Mulatu Astatke, Anoushka Shankar

Pete Adam Hill on drums known for his work with Alfa Mist, Jo Harrop and more.

Alongside Guido Spannocchi on alto saxophone

Recorded live by Valentin Zopp, mixed by Raphael Spannocchi at Sound Alm Haid, Bavaria's hub for new music and mastered by Pete Fletcher at Blackbay Studio Scotland.

Cover Artwork by Daniel Domig

Airplay on BBC Radio3, BBC Radio 6, JazzFM, NTS Radio, Threads Radio, Radio ö1 and more has sparked international press reviews:

"This is so fantastic i keep re-playing it" Andy Hamilton The Wire

"Buy it, play it, turn it up, sit back, and enjoy good jazz music played by an ensemble who know exactly what they are doing, led by a talented musician with generous arrangements. What, I ask is not to enjoy?" Sammy Stein in Something Else June 2023

"A genuine gig that serves as a reminder just why there is nothing quite like getting out and hearing some live music." Nick Lea in Jazzviews August 2023

"This band demonstrates how alive and thriving jazz is" T:Bebedor in Dancing about architecture

"Firmly embedded in the tradition of Jazz yet with a strong grip onto the present and a glimpse into the future" Emily Saunders in Connects Music July 2023

"Splendid tranquility" Best of Jazz June 2023

"Nighttime in Soho" Tack of the Week on All About Jazz July 2023

"This is a very good live recording full of great music, wonderful musicianship and an appreciative audience" Simon Defty in Simply Jazz Talk July 2023

"un'esperienza musicale straordinaria" Jazz in Family May 2023

"Альбом определенно стоит слушать именно целиком, от начала и до конца. Запись, несколько консервативная по своей сути, удивительным образом ухватила звучание момента, а это и есть одно из главных устремлений современного джаза." Jazzist September 2023

Strutting In Six Live at Porgy & Bess Vienna 2022

Available Everywhere on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora & Tidal.
 Stream/Download: https://landlr.com/t/a121f2d7ebe2

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Can't Stay Still

Lament

The Beast [ii]

This is a way of world-making

It’s about sampling a world 
 that’s specific to me
to my being
It’s about being a drummer
that is also a woman
It’s about tracing her down
and making her up

It’s about opposites
and union
It’s about transformation
about stretching beyond what limits us
and about trying
to be whole

Ultimately
it’s about merging
the real with the dream
into something
new

The Beast [ii] - HLAG + BBG

No Home For Johnny
feat. Renee Benson voc
        Julian Preuschl tp
        Vincent Pongracz sax
        Raphael Preuschl bass
        Michael Prowaznik drums


"Dear Jeromir,..."Letter

Baritone baby  - Guido Spannochi composition
Recorded live at Zenbox studios

Guido Spannochi Baritone Sax.
Sean Quinn Talking drum and effects.
Saul Eisenberg Tuned tank drum.
JJ Stillwell Double bass.
FIllipo Galli Trashy Drumkit

Baritone Baby ( Spannochi fan club ) mix 2

Birdtrapper

All tracks played, produced and mixed by Capitol K. 
Mastered by Amir Shoat.
Artwork by Chris Bianchi. 

From the forthcoming release Birdtrapper, available on ltd Edition transparent vinyl.

Temple (from the forthcoming Birdtrapper album)

#radioshow #livemusic #goodmusic #worldwidefm #DJtrumpet

Ear to the Ground: Jay Phelps: Show 4 
ft. Thin Blue Collective


Sango/Rocinha to King Drive
Don’t Problem/CD’s Lament
Lord Echo/Sword Cane
Jonny Liebeck/Mellow State
Jarreau Vandal/Saturday Love (VANDALIZED edit)
Rosie Frater-Taylor/Think About You
Guido Spannocchi/Cafezinho
Cassowary (ft.Tyler Cole)/Cyclical
Banda Black Rio/Mr.Funky Samba
Yoni Mayraz/RAT
SAULT/Sun Shine
Paulinho Da Viola/Timoneiro
Living Infinity/New Chapter
Raquel Martins/Freedom

Thin Blue Collective Interview

Thin Blue Collective/OG LA LA

Thin Blue Collective/CTCC

Black Neeyz/Mood (Cover)
Sango/ Maranhão (Ft_ Carlos do Complexo & Wax Roof) 
Already (Beyonce)/SOSA x HYALYTE edit
Reggie/Southside Fade
Juanita Euka/Alma Seca
Kali Uchis/ Sabor A Mi (Valleyz x Flip-D Remix)
Oui Lele/Worth It (w  Time 94)
Thin Blue Collective/Suite Two (Bazta Remix)
Lord Echo (Ft. Mara TK)/ Just Do You 
Entek/Robbery 
CAPTAIN OVER/NO-LOOK NUTMEG 
Miraa May/I Don’t Want Ya (Didi)


#soundcloud #music #hiphop #spotify #rap #newmusic #youtube #rapper #producer #artist #beats #trap #dj #applemusic #itunes #soundcloudrapper #musicproducer #unsignedartist #love #explorepage #musician #hiphopmusic #rappers #rapmusic #art #trapmusic #tidal #flstudio #follow #bhfyp

EAR TO THE GROUND(Show 4): Jay Phelps - ft. Thin Blue Collective

Guido Spannocchi, Vienna born London based Jazz saxophonist, composer, radio host, studied at Conservatoire of Vienna and Université Paris VIII, previous releases "Ahead Only" 2017, "Terms & Conditions" 2018, "All The Above" 2019, "Elevated Music" 2020 gained him international reviews and touring.
Artist in resident for Vogue Fashion Night out Tokyo 2019, Asa Baako Ghana 2020, Cité des Arts Paris 2019, Hotel Pupik Austria 2019 and Nosturi Helsinki 2019, most important shows Jazzfest Vienna 2018, Jazzfest London 2016 & 2018 & 2020, Intro Jazz Spot & Cotton Club Tokyo 2019, Porgy & Bess Vienna 2020, The Vortex London 2016 & 2018, The Crypt London 2017 & 2018 e.a. Endorsed by Marca Reeds France, Corry Bros Mouthpieces UK & Austrian Audio Microphones.

Strutting In Six Live at Porgy & Bess Vienna 2022

audioguido

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