Jazzanova are proud to announce their next full length, The Pool, is due for release via their own Sonar Kollektiv on June 29th 2018. It is their most mature and musical album yet and welcomes a host of talented collaborators including Jamie Cullum, Ben Westbeech, Pete Josef, Rachel Sermanni, Olivier St Louis, Paul Randolph and many more.
They might not have put out an album in the last decade, but by no means have Jazzanova been out of the picture. Instead members Alex Barck, Claas Brieler, Axel Reinemer, Jürgen von Knoblauch and Stefan Leisering have been focussing on a diverse range of projects, as well as becoming parents. From running their JRS studio to A&Ring a wealth of new talent for their Jazzanova label via for producing others and, of course, continuing to play their unique live shows around the world, they are as immersed in music as ever.
Although none of the band are trained musicians, the new album is their most mature, musical and accomplished yet. It features a wealth of guests who bring their own distinctive flavours, but still retains a real sense of Jazzanova’s own musical identity—something that combines neo-soul, jazz, indie and pop songwriting with their unique knack for sampling and serious skills on everything from synth to piano, vibes to trombone, flugelhorn to guitar. The Pool evolved from various loose jam sessions and playful hours in the studio. It means there is no restrictive overall theme, but the album very much flows from one track to the next, mixing up synthesised sounds, samples and real instrumentation to paint a colourful overall picture that is utterly captivating.
The heavy hearted piano of ‘Let’s Live Well’ is truly tender before Jamie Cullum’s rousing vocals transport you to a more positive place, and ‘Everything I Wanted’ feat Charlotte OC is a dynamic blizzard of drums, trombones and percussion that has crystal clear vocals cutting through it all to bring real emotion. Olivier St Louis delivers gorgeous modern soul on the propulsive ‘Heatwave’ and frequent collaborator Paul Randolph brings vulnerable vocals to the shimmering chord vamps of ‘It’s Beautiful.’ The breezy seaside bliss of ‘I’m Still Here’ feat Edward Vanzet and wonderfully catchy, carefree pop of ‘Summer Keeps On Passing Me By’ feat Ben Westbeech close the album out and complete a beautiful journey that effortless takes you through a range of moods and grooves. Each vibrant track makes a big impact and stays with you long after it’s finished playing.
The Pool is an album that proves Jazzanova are still very much making and breaking their own set of rules, and it marks the start of a major new chapter in their long and storied career.
1. Now (L.O.V.E. and You & I - Part 2) feat. Oddisee 02:17
2. Rain Makes The River feat. Rachel Sermanni 04:49
3. Follow Your Feet feat. Pete Josef 03:32
4. No. 9 feat. KPTN 03:11
5. Sincere feat Noah Slee 03:44
6. Slow Rise feat. David Lemaitre 04:24
7. Let's Live Well feat. Jamie Cullum 04:56
8. Everything I Wanted feat. Charlotte OC 04:55
9. Heatwave feat. Olivier St. Louis 06:26
10. It's Beautiful feat. Paul Randolph 05:23
11. I'm Still Here feat. Edward Vanzet 05:03
12. Summer Keeps On Passing Me By feat. Ben Westbeech 02:59
Jazzanova are Alex Barck, Claas Brieler, Jürgen von Knoblauch, Stefan Leisering &
Axel Reinemer.
Mastered by Calyx Mastering, Berlin.
Artwork by Jonathan Calugi.
Product management by Oliver Glage.
(P) & (C) 2018 Sonar Kollektiv. SK350CD/illicity. LC01200. GEMA. Made in the EU. All rights reserved.
