Ishmael Ensemble are a Bristol-based collective led by saxophonist and producer Pete Cunningham. Their new album is titled A State Of Flow, an adventurous project that combines traditional jazz grooves with saxophone and guitar leads, and electronic 2-step rhythms and grooves that perfectly complement each other.
The album starts beautifully with “The Chapel.” Harps, beautiful saxophone notes bringing a meditative tone to the record and a pummeling beat that brings the energy. “Full Circle,” the second track on this project, is more electronic oriented, with a faster-paced and looped 2-step beat that is complemented by gorgeous vocals by Holysseus Fly and beautiful percussion and drumming throughout. Tracks like “Lapwing” bring more electronic tones on this album, whereas “Yellow House” featuring Yama Warashi and “Waterfall” featuring Holysseus Fly again have more of a neo-soul and jazz aura about them with more live percussion throughout and gorgeous vocal performances from both singers. “The River” featuring Yazz Ahmed sounds grand and rich with trumpets and a pummeling beat that really make this track grandiose in size. Overall, Ishmael Ensemble excel on this release, bringing out character and rich compositions throughout.
Listen to Ishmael Ensemble terrific new album A State Of Flow below via Bandcamp and don’t forget to support!
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