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)

Available Everywhere on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora & Tidal.
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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)

Many years ago in 2009 I shared a flat in Vienna with the magnificent singer and performer Renee Benson aka Sista Raie and we developed an electronic night club opera which we staged with several musicians of the highest caliber two times within a year. The story outline was a quest for love and the strange encounters within that journey. Coming of age and becoming oneself was the main topic.
Eventually we recorded some the songs which were key elements of this opera. The project featured Meaghan Burke on cello, Vincent Pongrácz on clarinet, Jürgen Bauer and Jakob Schneidewind on electric bass, David Leisser on drums and myself on alto sax. The lyrics were written by Renee Benson and the music composed by myself in collaboration with the musicians. I might be sharing some more of that project at a later date... Stay strong!

Winner

#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)


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

Guido Spannocchi, Vienna born London based woodwind specialist, 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, "Perihelion" 2022, "Live at Porgy & Bess" 2023 and "Live at London Jazz Festival" 2024 gained him international reviews and touring.
Artist in resident for Vogue Fashion Night out Tokyo 2019, Asa Baako Ghana 2020/2023, Lagos Miliki 2023, Cité des Arts Paris 2019, Hotel Pupik Austria 2019 and Nosturi Helsinki 2019, most important shows Jazzfest Vienna, Jazzfest London, Intro Jazz Spot & Cotton Club Tokyo, Porgy & Bess Vienna, The Vortex London, The Crypt London, Ronnie Scott's, e.a. Endorsed by Marca Reeds France, Corry Bros Mouthpieces UK & Austrian Audio Microphones.

Winner

audioguido

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