Music: Tenderlonius featuring The 22archestra – The Shakedown

After releasing EPs and collaborative projects with other London-based jazz artists, Tenderlonius steps forward to release his first studio album with 22a Records titled The Shakedown.

With the help of a star-studded lineup of musicians including Hamish Balfour on keys, Fergus Ireland on bass, Yussef Dayes on drums and Jeen Bassa, Reggie Omas and Konrad on percussion, Tenderlonius is able to craft a diverse sonic soundscape with incredibly dense compositions that are beautifully arranged and masterfully produced. Whether it’s the emphasis on the drum grooves of “Yussef’s Groove” or the synth-heavy afrobeat rhythm of “Togo,” Tenderlonius and his band are able to experiment through and through with sounds, feeding off each other’s creativity and energy like never before. It’s the jam-like feeling that they create, weaving in between percussion, synths, keys and drums effortlessly that makes this project so special. Highlights of the project include the title track, with Tenderlonius’ incredible flute-playing shining through and “Red Sky At Night,” a meditative track with hypnotic drums and keys that add to the ethereal quality of the track. This is an excellent ambassador for experimental jazz music for London and is a true joy to listen to.

Tenderlonius’ debut album The Shakedown is available to stream below via Bandcamp. Make sure you support this project in any way you can! Released via 22a Records.