Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Butterflies (Severn Songs)

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

Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Rituals (Severn Songs)

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

Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Ezekiel / Fever Dream (Severn Songs)

Severn Songs have 'Fever Dreams' over 'Ezekiel' as Ishmael Ensemble get ever closer to the release of thier third studio album.

It's been a little over a year since the double-A single, 'Madrid / Dust' was released by Ishmael Ensemble (see review HERE) but this release is even better.  

Split over 'Ezekiel' (original, instrumental, radio edit) and the rampant 'Fever Dream' (original, instrumental) it really is a fix as to the whether there's more bang, indie, Balearics, dreamscape in which; but I'll put my tuppence on the 'Fever Dream' instrumental version as it's a proper ear worm of a rave-up.

The album, 'Rituals' is due for release next month so keep your eyes peeled here.

P.S. love the artwork here.

Artist: Ishmael Ensemble

Title:  Ezekiel / Fever Dream

Release date: 13th August, 2024

Label: Severn Songs

Catalog Number: SEVS30C

Format: Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Ishmael Ensemble - Madrid / Dust (Severn Songs)

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 HERE) and 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

Review: Holysseus Fly - Out Of This World (Severn Songs)

Holysseus Fly (aka Holly) and part of the trip hop-conscious jazzers Ishmael Emsemble, releases a new solo single that's 'Out Of This World'.

This follows 'Teach Me' which was a favourite of the BBC 6 Music playlisters and is bound to be another as the singer/songwriter/pianist and model (well, she does like a bit of dressing up/make-up - note: cover artwork by Giulia Spadafora).

The release coincides with International Womens Day and the track is full of drama with fantastic big strings.

Looks like another big year for this emerging talent as she joins Nick Mulvey for a short 5 date UK tour this month.

Tour dates:
16-Mar-24 - Leeds - O2 Academy Leeds
17-Mar-24 - Glasgow - SWG3 TV Studio
18-Mar-24 - Manchester - Albert Hall
20-Mar-24 - Bristol - Beacon
21-Mar-24 - London - Hammersmith Apollo

Artist: Holysseus Fly 
Title: Out Of This World 
Release date: 8th March 2024
Label: Severn Songs
Cat. No: SeVS27
Format: Digital / Bandcamp