Released: February 2, 2024

Genre: Jazz

From: South Africa / Switzerland

Label: As-Shams/The Sun Records

Why you should listen: Skyjack are a jazz collective of members from both South Africa and Switzerland who have released a stunning new album titled Light Cycle. This is my first introduction to the band despite this being their third album, and was blown away by the soul, beauty and aura of their compositions. Consisting of Marc Stucki on tenorsax, Andreas Tschopp on trombone, Kyle Shepherd on piano, Shane Cooper on bass and Jonno Sweetman on drums, the quintet have created a mesmerising and meandering body of work that ebbs and flows through emotive brass and wind instrumentation, gorgeous piano melodies and infectious, rhythmic drumming. From the frantic opener “All the Flame” to the meditative and tribal closer “The Storm That Guides You”, the album is such a vibrant and energetic body of work. The piano-led and emotive “Light Cycle / Vang Gou Die Strandloper” is an early highlight for me, with its stunning piano and saxophone leads that intertwine with one another, capturing an emotive and reflective tone that feels both somber and hopeful. “Future Past” has this dynamic brass instrumentation, that is complemented by playful piano compositions that give this track so much life and colour. “Porcupine” is stunning, while “Radha III”, after the gorgeous “Radha Intro” is an incredible track with a rumbling, heavy energy, with piano compositions that add to the incredible bass lines and dynamic drumming throughout. Shyjack’s Light Cycle is a truly hypnotic body of work, with striking, colourful and intricate compositions that create an immersive, soulful listening experience.

The album: