After the Latin and flamenco whispers on La Sombra, Shamal Wind adds some Arab-influence percussion to the mix, most notably on the title track. Elsewhere, ‘Barrio 71’ sees him nodding to Shihab: high energy, lyrical and absorbing, with sax and the vibraphone taking the lead. ‘Snake Eyes’ taps into the meditative exaltations of modal jazz, while ‘Soho Strut’ nods to the jazz fusion, funk-influenced side of Chip’s playing.
Like the Persian Gulf winds referenced in the album title, which often mark the shift to a new season, this album signals a new chapter for Chip, opening up a newfound energy and inclusiveness in his music, and further expanding on what he achieved in the past year. “Shamal Wind” is a heavy record, built on strong foundations.
Over the past 3 decades Chip Wickham has worked, written, recorded, and toured with the likes of Rae & Christian, Fingathing, The Pharcyde, Jimpster, Nightmares On Wax, Graham Massey, Roy Ayers, Nat Birchall, The New Mastersounds, Lack Of Afro, Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band, Matthew Halsall, and Dwight Trible.
1. Shamal Wind
2. Snake Eyes
3. Soho Strut
4. The Mirage (Feat. Matthew Halsall)
5. Barrio 71
6. Rebel No.23
Ton Risco: vibraphone
Phil Wilkinson: piano
David Salvador: double bass
Antonio Alvarez Pax: drums
David el Indio: congas, bongos, bell and percussion
* Matthew Halsall: trumpet on The Mirage
* Gabri Casanova: Wurlitzer piano on Rebel No.23
All tracks written by Chip Wickham
Produced and mixed by Chip Wickham
Recorded to analogue tape by Javier Ortiz at Estudio Brazil (Madrid)
Assisted by Marcos Bandera
Rebel No.23 recorded at Red Led Studios Madrid
Mastered by Damian Schwartz
