That Secret Sauce

Settle Down

Mr Bongo proudly presents the debut album from Tasmania-born, Melbourne-based, Finn Rees. Gliding across a swirling palette of saturated hues, Dawn Is A Melody feels vintage yet vibrant, new but familiar at the same time. A spiritual, deep and textured jazz record, tipping its hat to greats from the past, capturing memories and reformulating them into new ideas with the help of some of Melbourne’s finest talent.

Expert keys player for the likes of 30/70 and Elle Shimada, alongside one-half of Close Counters, this debut LP was Finn’s conscious departure from the realm of groove-based jazz. Instead, Dawn Is A Melody places the piano and arrangements centre stage, giving Finn and his fellow Melbourne crew freedom to explore the spaces in between, new emotions and alternate soundscapes.

In Finn’s own words: “My intention with Dawn Is A Melody was to create a world; a microcosm of colour. Something rich and beautiful that allowed the melodies and compositions to reach their full potential. It was driven by hope, curiosity and the search for beauty and reassurance in this ever-changing world. The emotion behind the music is really about the journey of life, growing up and changing, as well as my relationship with Tasmania’s natural landscapes where I grew up, a part of the world that is incredibly unique and beautiful.”

The album arcs between opening, middle and end. Beginning with the optimism of ‘Looking Up’ and ‘Lagoon’, the former a celestial, string and harp marbled slice of positivity, the latter a spiritual journey of exuberance and hope, Finn’s fingers dancing across the ‘70s Yamaha grand piano. From there the songs blossom outwards with the cinematic soulful journey of ‘It’s Behind Me Now’ and Brazilian-inspired ‘Expansion’, as the divine ‘Crossing’ signals a transition to a new realm. The energy is transformed from the rich cosmic textures to a more intimate and personal feeling with ‘Ablaze’, ‘Between Spaces’ and ‘As It Passes’ which blissfully fades down to simply piano and strings to close out the record.

Recorded at Rolling Stock in Collingwood, Melbourne, Henry Jenkins was drafted in as recording and mix engineer, his minimal vintage mic setups giving a live aesthetic and warmth to the arrangements. Lucky Pereira and Blakely McLean Davies form the rock-solid rhythm section, with a hand-picked line-up of other Melbourne talent on display, including Cheryl Durongpitikul on tenor sax, Siwei Wong on harp, Audrey Powne on trumpet and Allysha Joy on vocals to name only a few.

Plotting a course from Alice Coltrane, through Herbie Hancock, to Arthur Verocai, this is a debut nourished by the past but firmly made in the present. A record unable to be age-stamped, casting ambiguity as to when, what era and by whom it has been crafted. Like a vintage lens capturing a current scene, Dawn Is A Melody is warm and familiar yet focused on the here now.

Finn Rees - As It Passes

Love

Nice try buddy

sulky

The Whatnauts - Help Is On The Way (Slightly Slowed)

Talented London based producer @footshooter weaves dulcet emcee and Rhodes tones with a meditative jungle groove.

Read more & buy: http://www.stampthewax.com/2018/10/19/premiere-footshooter-mars/
Listen on Youtube: http://bit.ly/footshooter-mars

Listen on Youtube

Footshooter feat. And Is Phi - Mars(STW Premiere)

Various Artists - The Movement EP - Catalogue number - SELBLM

We have decided to interrupt our regular release schedule to get fully involved in change. Selections is very proud to announce ‘The Movement EP’ This is a Various Artists EP that includes tracks by Kai Alće, Demuir, Nick Holder and 83 West (Tyrone Solomon x Martino Lozej). We are using this platform for more than just music, for real change. We are extremely pleased to announce that 100% of the proceeds from this EP will be donated to Black Lives Matter. All four artists have graciously and enthusiastically donated each track for this very important release. Juno distribution will also be donating 100% of their proceeds as well. Artwork has been designed & donated by Selections artist Jamn Ensemble. We want to use this time to give back to black culture, as this music is rooted in black culture and without that we wouldn’t have this platform to begin with. Systemic racism is real. Police brutality is real. We will always fight to support our brothers and sisters around us, to uplift through music, and to use this as platform to educate and progress. By purchasing this record, you are a part of the movement!

Settle Down

Jerome Thomas