Showing posts with label Ishmael Ensemble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ishmael Ensemble. Show all posts

Thursday, 13 March 2025

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , ,

6161, known to his mum as Matt Stockham Brown, is releasing the album
'6161' on Severn Songs, run by the Bristolian trend setters Ishmael Ensemble.


You'll recall Ishamel Ensemble's album, 'Rituals' (see review HERE) but this is somewhat different.  Matt Stockham Brown has performed and recorded with some major international artists including Massive Attack, Gregory Porter along with Get The Blessing and Ghostpoet but as '6161' he's got some like minded jazzers on an album that's like the dark edges on Massive Attack and Get The Blessing.
Produced and mixed by Riaan Vosloo, who will known to fans from his regular collaborations with Benedic Lamdin and Nostalgia 77 (see review HERE) to even further back with his Impossible Ark work, will know that here is emerced in modern/experimental jazz.   He also adds additional electronics to Matt's drums, compostions and arrangements with Dan Moore's synths and four horn attack; Jake McMurchie and Sophie Stockham (tenor saxophones), Tom Taylor (baritone sax) and Peter Judge (trumpet).

Starting off with the powerful 'Sneakanon' Parts 1&2 for 10 minutes it's there with those Bristolian jazz influences that followed by the nearly as long 'Surge' Parts1&2. The horns, particularly the baritone sax adds an element of cathedral aurora that's darklyspiritual; particulary 'Surge' Part 1 as it builds to a foreboding climax before Part 2 starts as a heavy jazz Sabbath of twang.

The single 'UP' has more of a cinematic undercurrent, "evoking the spirit of a post-war ballroom with a waltzing rhythm that beckons dance." (an element that's in the Marshall Allen debut album 'New Dawn' - see review HERE; and he's old enough to remember many post-war periods).

Like jazz drummer Sebastian Rochford's previous bands, it's not all about the drums but there's a definite presence like 'Morag' that has that Get The Blessing (who started out as The Blessing with a live album from The Bell Inn, Bath in 2004 and released an update last year, live from the same venue).  

That said, the album ends on a couple of tracks, 'For Felix' and 'Prowl' that are harder jazz rock where Matt/the band do have the opportunity to show-off in Acoustic Ladyland meets Rip Rig & Panic way.    

So that's finale is quite different from the opening tracks and it's a bit of a journey, you could say the only way is 'UP' for 6161


Artist: 6161
Title: 6161
Release date: 14th March, 2025
Label: Severn Songs
Cat. No: -
Format: digital / Bandcamp


Tuesday, 1 October 2024

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , ,

Fresh from taking over the airwaves of Worldwide FM, the new sound of Bristol that Ishmael Ensemble is a prime mover release another single from their album 'Rituals', its enough to give you 'Butterflies'.



For all fans of pollinators everywhere, this follows the release of singles 'Madrid' / 'Dust' (see review HERE), 'Ezekiel' / 'Fever Dream' (see review HERE) and the album (see review HERE) and comes with an equally impressive instrumental.

I did say that there's going to be lots of focus on 'Butterflies' that features the vocals of Holysseus Fly - see of 'Out Of The World' (see review HERE) and it's caught the ear of BBC 6 Music friendly with fans including the main DJs Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Tom Ravenscroft, Mary Ann Hobbs amongst many more.

In supports their tour dates, it's a gig not to be missed.

UK/IE Tour Dates

02/10 - Concorde 2, Brighton
03/10 - Village Underground, London
04/10 - NAC, Norwich
05/10 - Goods Shed, Stroud
10/10 - Ulster Social Club, Belfast
11/10 - The Grand Social, Dublin
16/10 - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
17/10 - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
18/10 - Rum Shack, Glasgow
19/10 - Gorilla, Manchester
24/10 - SWX, Bristol
07/11 - Botanique, Brussels
09/11 - Bird, Rotterdam
14/11 - Hydrozagadka, Warsaw
15/11 - Jazzclub Tonne, Dresden
16/11 - Badehaus, Berlin
17/11 - Sala Villanos, Madrid

Artist: Ishmael Ensemble

Title: Butterflies

Release date: 1st October, 2024

Label: Severn Songs

Catalog Number: SEVS30

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Friday, 6 September 2024

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , ,

The new sound of Bristol is with us with a Ishmael Ensemble's 'Ritual' which brings us a future dozen anthems.


Following the release of singles 'Madrid' / 'Dust' (see review HERE) and 'Ezekiel' / 'Fever Dream' (see review HERE) the album is finally with us with eight new tracks.

In truth, not sure why a number of the other tracks were chosen as singles like 'Blinded', 'Leviathan' and 'Grounded' at least; and I'm guessing that there's going to be lots of focus on 'Butterflies' that features the vocals of Holysseus Fly - see of 'Out Of The World' (see review HERE).

Expertly weaving indie, soul, jazz, psych, trip-hop, electronica, gospel and hints of dubstep/d'n'b (well it's Bristol after all), it's very BBC 6 Music friendly with fans including the main DJs Gilles Peterson, Huey Morgan, Tom Ravenscroft, Mary Ann Hobbs being fans of their early work.

Founded by saxophonist/proudcer Pete Cunningham, 'Rituals' is a big jump up from the debut album 'A State Of Flow' which the Guardian hailed as an 'Album Of The Month' so expect even more praise for this one as UK/EU tours follow in October/November.


Artist: Ishmael Ensemble
Title: Rituals
Release date: 6th September, 2024
Label: Severn Songs
Catalog Number: SEVS
Format: Digital / Bandcamp


Wednesday, 5 June 2024

Posted by Gerry Hectic | File under : , , , ,

Possibly the musical tribute to St. Jude and the crew on Saturday we get the Ishmael Ensemble releasing a glorious double header on Severn Songs.



As you probably know, Real's Jude Bellingham was born in Stourbridge (not Madrid or on the River Serven) but this 'Madrid' packs a Cinematic Orchestra style rave of celebration with deep whirling synths that fit for any party.

Apparently the track was un-earthed from a forgotten hard-drive from 10 years ago and after a quick make-over, it's now ready for any beach party this summer.

'Dust' features Holysseus Fly on vocals (she of 'Out Of The World' - see review HEREand is more Indie-dance festival hit as it buids to it's peak.

These track find the band building up to the release of thier second album, 'Rituals' that's coming out soon.



Artist: Ishmael Ensemble
Title: Madrid / Dust
Release date: 5th June, 2024
Label: Severn Songs
Catalog Number: SEVS30B
Format: Digital / Bandcamp