Frederic Borey - BUTTERFLIES Trio (FEATURING Lionel Loueke) 2021 Fresh Sound Records

FREDERIC BOREY

« BUTTERFLIES » TRIO

FEATURING

LIONEL LOUEKE

With this brand new CD on Fresh Sound Records, the 8th under his name, Frédéric Borey joins ambition, musicality and friendship.

Following the first album (©2019), and almost 80 concerts since 2018, BUTTERFLIES Trio has built, together and with the public, a strong relation.

Based on this human and musical complicity, he dreams big and decides on this second album, to invite world-class musician Lionel Loueke (Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Charlie Haden, Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Esperanda Spalding, Robert Glasper, Sting, Gretchen Parlato…) and faithful friend met 26 years ago.

« This idea comes from a collective desire, to keep renewing ourselves. The trio is the foundation, around which we think interesting (for ourselves and for the public) to permanently create, innove, have fun and take some risks. It also correspond to a certain form of spontaneity, improvisation and surprise that makes the essence of Jazz music.

The idea of inviting Lionel has been revealed as an evidence. The three of us having the highest respect for his career, it was also, beyond his musical personality, about keeping human’s relation on the center of our group »

In this new record of 11 songs, including 8 in quartet and 3 in trio, we find Frédéric’s compositions, of course, but also pieces from his partners, who have all composed for this project.

Each songs has it own strong identity. We can easily recognize Frédéric’s writing on 'Don’t Give Up', 'Lou' (duo between Frédéric & Lionel) or 'Insomnia' (with two drums and two guitars recorded at the time) that brings a new sound to his repertoire. 'Do Hwe Wutu' (« Thanks to you » in Beninese) expresses Frédéric’s gratitude and friendship towards Lionel. We can also recognize Loueke’s unique touch with « Camille » that he wrote and sings here.

It results a beautiful diversified recording, balanced, in which we clearly feel their humanity and complicity

The Butterflies invites Lionel Loueke and spreads their wings together. « That’s all we are trying to be, 4 butterflies that meet and fly together during a dance »

01. Don' Give Up (Frédéric Borey)

02. Camille (Lionel Loueke)

03. Wish (Frédéric Borey)

04. Commencement (Stéphane Adsuar)

05. Insomnia (Frédéric Borey)

06. Gentlemen's Agreement (Damien Varaillon)

07. Cube (Damien Varaillon)

08. Do Hwe Wutu (Frédéric Borey)

09. Lou (Frédéric Borey)

10. Clews (Frédéric Borey)

11. Snowscape (Damien Varaillon)

The Line up :

Frédéric Borey (tenor saxophone)

Damien Varaillon (doublebass)

Stéphane Adsuar (drums)

Lionel Loueke (guitars, vocals)

All songs, except 03, 07, 11

Recorded by Julien Reyboz

Ohm Sweet Ohm Studio, Paris

Mixed and Mastered by Dave Darlington

Bass Hit Recording, New York City

Album Artwork ©Maria Jarnyza

Frederic Borey Site   Spotify   Youtube   Fresh Sound Records

Michael Olatuja - Lagos Pepper Soup (Whirlwind Recordings)

Michael Olatuja’s musical development has taken place across three continents, in the heart of three of the world’s greatest cities. After a childhood in Lagos absorbing the Yoruba culture of his Nigerian family, followed by teenage years performing and studying on the booming London jazz scene, Michael’s talent bloomed when he arrived in New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music. His unique breadth of talent, grounded in the strong musical traditions of his homeland, has earned him first-call status across a range of genres from pop to gospel to Broadway to top-flight jazz, and along the way he’s filled his contacts book with a impressive and eclectic range of talent.

For 'Lagos Pepper Soup', his second solo release, Michael picked a core band of Terreon Gully, Aaron Parks and Etienne Stadwijk, and then enlisted the talents of Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, Regina Carter, Joe Lovano, Laura Mvula, Lionel Loueke, Grégoire Maret, Becca Stevens, Brandee Younger, Robert Mitchell, Onaje Jefferson, and top studio arrangers David Metzger, Joseph Joubert and Jason Michael Webb to realise his vision of what he calls Cinematic Afrobeat - “What you hear is a blend of three major cities: it’s a celebration of life, and I wanted to make it sound like a soundtrack for a movie that hasn’t been made yet - maybe the next Black Panther movie.”

The title track is a summary of what it’s about - the band lay down a cooking intercontinental groove over which Angelique Kidjo delivers a stunning vocal performance: “All these guests are people I’ve worked with, who inspire me and who I consider friends. Angelique has been one of my heroes for many years and working with her was a dream come true. She blew it out the water.”

‘Hero’s Journey’ is the most cinematic track of the album, a through-composed piece inspired by his late Mother Comfort Bola Olatuja, who provided Michael’s first musical inspiration. Top Disney orchestrator David Metzger (Frozen, Ice Age, Lion King and countless others) provided the epic orchestrations and Regina Carter’s improvisation soars over the strings and vocals. ‘Soki’, meaning ‘Soon’ is a Pan-African mix of influences from Mali, Senegal and Nigeria and features Dianne Reeves singing in Yoruba “Man, She did her homework! She put her heart and soul into it.”

Brandee Younger contributes harp to the acoustic textures of ‘Ma Foya’ - “She’s NYC’s premier harp player! We get along like a house on fire - she joked about being left off my album so I got her in and the results were magical.” ‘Brighter Day’ reunites Michael with Laura Mvula and his old London buddy Troy Miller, who he played with in Soweto Kinch’s band, for a typically heartfelt, idiosyncratic piece of pop music.

UK pianist Robert Mitchell was one of Michael’s mentors when he was a 16-year old budding professional. Becca Stevens is the perfect interpreter for the complex sophistication of his composition ‘Home True’. Bola Olatuja is Michael’s mother and ‘Bola’s Song’ is his tribute to her, with Grégoire Maret’s harmonica tracing the melody as the song moves from minor to major in Joubert’s lush arrangement.

‘Leye’s Dance’ is based on the Fuji style from Lagos: Joe Lovano recalls his time playing and hanging with Fela Kuti at The Shrine in this inspired Afrojazz blend. 'Shadows Fade’ is a ballad beautifully sung by Onaje Jefferson - “It’s about being where you need when going through difficult seasons.”

Lionel Loueke contributes the joyous ‘Mivakpola’ “He’s like a big brother to me. We like to have Lagos pepper soup together whenever he’s in town.” ‘Grace’ is an expression of Michael’s faith, but written without lyrics. “All the guests poured their heart and soul into this album, as though it were their own. I feel that grace has been shown to me throughout.”

Michael has integrated all of his diverse musical influences, incorporating his guests’ talents while allowing his own personality to clearly shape the overall direction. His own virtuoso melodic bass playing shines throughout - “I wanted Lagos Pepper Soup to feature my own playing, as well as songwriting and production - all my influences are here, all my favourite musicians, and I feel there’s an element of divine favour in how amazingly it’s turned out."

1. Even Now Prayer 01:00

2. Lagos Pepper Soup (ft. Angelique Kidjo & Lionel Loueke) 04:43 video

3. The Hero’s Journey (feat. Regina Carter) 08:42

4. Soki (feat. Dianne Reeves & Lionel Loueke) 04:27

5. Ma Foya (feat. Brandee Younger) 03:23

6. Brighter Day (feat. Laura Mvula) 05:58

7. Shadows Fade (feat. Onaje Jefferson) 06:32

8. Home True (feat. Becca Stevens & Robert Mitchell) 06:28

9. Bola’s Song (feat. Grégoire Maret) 04:16

10. Mivakpola (feat. Lionel Loueke) 04:22

11. Leye’s Dance (feat. Joe Lovano) 07:07

12. Grace 05:51

Michael Olatuja - producer, arranger, composer (except 8,10), electric bass, synth bass (1), percussion (5)

Aaron Parks - piano (2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12)

Etienne Stadwijk - keyboards (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11)

Terreon Gully - drums (except 5, 6)

Troy Miller - drums (6)

Magatte Sow - Percussion (2,3, 4, 6, 9,11)

Femi Temowo - guitar (6)

Herve Sambe - guitar (11)

Michael Aarons - guitar (12)

Camille Thurman - voice (9,12)

Thana Alexa - voice (3)

Ayanna George - backing vocals (2,3,4)

Cassondra James - backing vocals (2,3,4)

Rasul A-Salaam - backing vocals (2,3,4)

Samir Zarif - Tenor and soprano saxophone (8,10,12)

Alicia Olatuja - Vocal Arrangement (4)

'Lagos Pepper Soup' String Orchestra (3,4,6,7, 9)

Joseph Joubert - Orchestra Conductor (3,4,6,7, 9)

and Orchestration (6 & 7)

David Metzger - Orchestration (2)

Jason Michael Webb - Orchestration (4)

Jon Cowherd - Orchestration (9)

Featured Artists:

Angelique Kidjo - voice (2)

Dianne Reeves - voice (4)

Laura Mvula - voice (6)

Becca Stevens - voice (8)

Regina Carter - violin (3)

Lionel Loueke - guitar (2, 4, 10)

Joe Lovano - sax (11)

Robert Mitchell - piano (8)

Onaje Jefferson - voice (7)

Brandee Younger - harp (5)

Grégoire Maret - harmonica (9)

Pre-order

Jeff Ballard - Fairgrounds (EDITION RECORDS January 25, 2019)

Honest, inventive and adventurous, Fairgrounds is the embodiment of Jeff Ballard’s ceaseless desire and energy to move people emotionally, physically and intellectually. His second album as a leader, sees the US drummer set on a new trajectory of increased recorded output, focus as a bandleader with a new home at British label, Edition Records.

“The only direction or concept I imposed on the players in this group was to feel an absolute freedom to play (or not) whatever they want at any given time. Totally freedom was the only restriction. Structures came from content, or sometimes the structure was already there if we happen to play a specific song but it would be a very new version each time. The music and how we played it came from the moment we all shared then and there, always.” JEFF BALLARD

Jeff Ballard ranks among the most inventive and adventurous drummers of his generation. He makes music that feels like the 21st century – open, fluid, ever-developing; a sound informed by jazz but truly coming to life where musical worlds collide: acoustic and electric, swinging and ambient, analogue and digital, accessible and experimental.

The virtuoso drummer, who made his name playing with Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau, is not inhibited by convention. His music is honest, original and adventurous with a ceaseless desire and energy to move people emotionally, physically and intellectually. Jeff’s latest project and album ‘Fairgrounds’, released on Edition Records, provides a freedom to explore and to express himself with musicians who are close to his heart and mind.

The result is highly captivating and bursting with energy. With a rich and flexible musical language, embracing influences as diverse as Jazz, Rock, Pop, Electronica and West African music, ‘Fairgrounds’ is a unique insight into the distinctive sound world of Jeff Ballard.

JEFF BALLARD drums, percussion

LIONEL LOUEKE guitar, vocals

KEVIN HAYS piano, keyboards, vocals

REID ANDERSON electronics

PETE RENDE piano, fender rhodes

Guest appearances: 

CHRIS CHEEK tenor saxophone (track 5 and 11)

MARK TURNER tenor saxophone (track 6 and 8)

All songs written and arranged by Fairgrounds

except for:

Hit The Dirt by Kevin Hays

Miro by Reid Anderson

Cherokee Rose by Chris Cheek

1. Grounds Entrance

2. YEAH PETE!

3. The Man's Gone 03:56

4. I Saw A Movie

5. Hit The DIrt

6. Twelv8

7. Marche Exotique

8. Grungy Brew

9. Miro

10. Soft Rock

11. Cherokee Rose

Recorded live between March 1 and 20, 2015 while on tour in Europe (Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Munich, Molde, Odense, Paris, Rome, Tours, Terrassa, Vienna, Zurich)

Mixed by Pete Rende

Mastered by Nate Wood

Robi Botos - Old Soul (ROPEADOPE RECORDS November 2018)

DIAMOND 
Dedicated to a dear childhood friend, the pianist/keyboardist András Losó, who was nicknamed gyémánt (Diamond). Unfortunately he passed away very young due to heart disease. Many great memories...I learned a lot from him about playing & music in general. His presence & music brought a lot of joy to many. One of the funniest people ever, too… I incorporated grooves & chord changes that we used to jam on for hours & hours. R.I.P 

BUDAPEST 
A song that contains mixed feelings. A bittersweet tribute to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Many different experiences there for the first 20 years of my life. Some of the best, but unfortunately some of the harshest ones too. 

OLD SOUL 
Somehow that’s how this tune felt like to me. That’s the title which came to me from the feeling of it. Musically, this track is all over the map. It has many old & soul-oriented influences from Romani, Folk, Baroque Classical to Jazz, Funk, Gospel, Fusion to Motown & more...it all just came out like that. It also paints a musical picture of my journey from old Europe to North America. 

PRAISE 
I used to play in Church a lot. I always try to play the same way I did when I was performing in Church, everytime I am on stage. This song is really a prayer. Praising the One who gave me all good things including music. As my former teacher Jim Blackley said to me: “you are not the doer, you are the instrument”. 

HOPE 
A Latin influenced tune, with a positive outlook. I wrote it shortly after winning the Montreux Jazz festival piano competition with a heart full of new hope. 

DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES 
One of my favourite standards, with a groovy twist. I love old standards & the joy in finding fresh ways of playing them without losing their meanings. 

CALHOUN SQUARE 
A tribute to the one & only Prince. One of the funkiest musicians, multi-instrumentalists & producers who ever lived. He was a musical chameleon. One of the few who knew his craft, kept & respected the tradition, but also brought a totally new thing to the scene. 

Produced by Scott Morin and Robi Botos 

All Compositions : Robi Botos 

except Calhoun Square (Prince) and Days of Wine and Roses (Mancini/Mercer) 

Recorded on Sunday, July 3rd at Planet Studios – Montreal, Canada 

Engineered by Nicolas Roberge at Planet Studios 

Recording Supervised by Dan Cinelli at Planet Studios 

Piano Tuning : Oliver White 

Mixed by John ‘Beetle’ Bailey at The Drive Shed 

Percussion Overdubs Recorded at Sound Lens Studio, Markham, Ontario 

Engineer : Ted Sevdalis // Studio Owner : Lenny Binder 

All audio Mastered by Peter Letros for Wreckhouse Mastering 

Photography : Tracey Nolan 

Art Direction and Design : Simon Paul 

Production Management : Geoff Lang for A440 Entertainment Inc. 

Release Coordination : Celine Peterson and Scott Morin 

Videography in-studio : Cedric Sequerra 

ARTISTS 

Robi Botos : Piano, Keys, Harpejji, Melodica, Percussion 

Larnell Lewis : Drums 

Mike Downes : Acoustic and Electric Bass 

Seamus Blake : Saxophones and EWI 

Featuring Special Guests on Calhoun Square : 

Cory Henry : Hammond B3 Organ 

Ingrid Jensen : Trumpet 

Lionel Loueke : Guitar 

String Section on Budapest and Old Soul : 

Drew Jurecka :Violin 1 

Rebekah Wolkstein : Violin 2 

Shannon Knights : Viola 

Lydia Munchinsky : Cello 

Robi Botos plays Nord keyboards and Yamaha pianos. 

Robi endorses: Roli Ltd, Propellerhead Reason Software, D'addario Canada, Hammond Melodicas, Marcodi Musical Instruments, Native Instruments North America Inc., Erikson Music/Audio, and Jamm Industries 

Larnell Lewis endorses Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, and Promark Drumsticks 

Seamus Blake endorses Ted Klum mouthpieces and Roberto’s Winds Reeds

1. Diamond 06:33

2. Budapest 06:58

3. Old Soul 11:35

4. Praise 07:27

5. Hope 06:26

6. Days of Wine 06:39

7. Calhoun Square 07:50

8. A Time to Love 07:00

9. End Of An Era 04:35

US Drummer Jeff Ballard Signs to Edition (EDITION RECORDS)

US Drummer Jeff Ballard signs to Edition Records for the release of his new album ‘Fairgrounds’ featuring Lionel Loueke, Kevin Hays, Reid Anderson, Pete Rende, Mark Turner and Chris Cheek.

Jeff Ballard, the virtuoso drummer who has made his name playing with the likes of Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau has signed to Edition Records with his new album, Fairgrounds, due for release in January 2019.

Jeff Ballard makes music that feels like the 21st century – open, fluid and ever-developing - a sound informed by jazz but truly coming to life where musical worlds collide: acoustic and electric, swinging and ambient, analog and digital, accessible and experimental.

With Lionel Loueke on guitar and vocals, Kevin Hays on keyboards and vocals and Reid Anderson on electronics, the album also features saxophonists Mark Turner and Chris Cheek, Pete Rende on keyboards, who also recorded and mixed the album, with mastering by Nate Smith. This is a potent combination of musicians who revere the past while realising that art is always made in the present tense; they grew up versed in deep traditions but are keen to blur boundaries between genres. Jazz, rock, electronica and West African music all figure in the shape-shifting, cross-cultural sound of this dream band.

A new home for Jeff on an independent and European label presents new opportunities for him. As Jeff explains; ‘I feel extremely lucky to have come into contact with Dave and Edition Records. It is sort of a dream come true in that I feel with them I have the means, the modern means, to reach a larger public with complete artistic freedom and support. This is one of the benefits of having a forward thinking independent label which is dedicated to the artist like Edition is. It is obvious to me that their focus is on quality and longevity. And to be honest the passion I sense from them is contagious. I’m excited not just about this new record release and reaching out and connecting to more people thru a variety of new (for me) ways but I am just as excited - if not more so - about what’s coming next. Thanks Edition!’

This release marks a significant signing for Edition Records, as label boss Dave Stapleton explains; To be able to work with Jeff on his album is both humbling and hugely exciting. Not only is he regarded as one of the greatest drummers in Jazz, and he's worked with some of the most celebrated players in this music, but he’s both a musician and a man of deep integrity and trust with endless enthusiasm and passion. Edition is a label growing in a very changeable industry; Jeff’s natural tendency to trust, and his desire to work together on building audiences, perfectly fits with our own vision of working with our artists in a very open and collaborative way. We’re incredibly excited to start work on this great music. I’ve no doubt it’s going to be a lot of fun’.

Fairgrounds will be released on 25th January 2019

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Lionel Loueke's "Close Your Eyes" shipping now (Plus last day of Father's day promotion!)

NEW VELLE

Lionel Loueke's Close Your Eyes is releasing this week!  We are enormously excited to be working with Lionel again after last year's collaboration with Kevin Hays.  This record features the stellar world class rhythm section of Reuben Rogers on bass and Eric Harland on drums.  Lionel is tackling standard repertoire here in a way and with a voice that only he could.

Video shot by Jim Hoppin and edited by Ben Chace

Close Your Eyes

Praised by his mentor Herbie Hancock as "a musical painter," Lionel Loueke combines harmonic sophistication, soaring melody, a deep knowledge of African music, and conventional and extended guitar techniques to create a warm and evocative sound of his own. JazzTimes wrote "Loueke's lines are smartly formed and deftly executed. His ear-friendly melodicism draws both from traditional African sources and a lifetime of closely studying the likes of Jim Hall and George Benson, and his rhythmic shifts come quickly and packed with surprises."   This record marks Lionel's first release featuring standard jazz repertoire in his unique voice.  Repertoire including: "Blue Monk", "Body and Soul", "Naima" and "It Might as Well Be Spring." 

Reuben Rogers, Lionel Loueke and Eric Harland    ©Anna Yatskevich

Last days of our Father's Day promotion on the critically lauded First Season of Newvelle Records.  Save 15% with the offercode FATHERSDAY before June 17th!

"If I’m beginning to sound like a broken record with my praise for the by-subscription releases from Newvelle Records, blame the people responsible for these LPs, which consistently rise to the top in terms of music and sound." 

--Guy Lemcoe, The Audio Beat 

photo by Anna Yatskevich

Season Three:

Steve Cardenas is releasing a record dedicated to greats Charlie Haden and Paul Motian. Recording, with a quartet built of long-time collaborators of both titans Loren Stillman on sax, Thomas Morgan on bass and Matt Wilson on drums, all Charlie and Paul tunes, a couple of which have never been recorded. (February 2018)

The Chicagoan composer and saxophonist Andrew Zimmerman (previously featured on our first release, Frank Kimbrough’s “Meantime”) has put together a drumless quartet featuring pianist Kevin Hays (recording here on the same 9 foot Fazioli that Jack DeJohnette used), the bassist Matt Penman and the great Dave Douglas on trumpet. (April 2018)

Lionel Loueke is releasing his first ever album of standards featuring extraordinary accomplices Reuben Rogers on bass and Eric Harland on drums. (June 2018)

Skúli Sverrisson and Bill Frisell are releasing their first collaboration. All original music from Skúlli, much of it written for Bill. If you are familiar with Skúlli and Bill's music, you'll know what you're getting into, a record of uncommon depth and beauty. (August 2018)

Incredible Cuban drummer Francisco Mela (McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, John Scofield) is releasing an album of all original material with his working band featuring Kris Davis, Gerald Cannon and Hery Paz. (October 2018)

Boston based trumpeter Jason Palmer put together a band of his long time New York collaborators for a session of originals and original takes on standards with pianist Leo Genovese (previously featured on his own record on Newvelle), bassist Joe Martin and drummer Kendrick Scott (December 2018)

All of our cover and interior photographs for Season three come fare by Maciej Markowicz .  Original text by Ingrid Astier,  Our Recording Engineer on all six records is the incomparable multi-Grammy winning Marc Urselli.  Mastering engineer is the brilliant Alex Deturk .  Jim Hoppin and Sarah Enid Hagey shot lovely video for us at these sessions.  All video editing is by the award-winning Ben Chace.  Anna Yatskevich shoots all our studio photos.

Video shot by Isaac Gillespie and edited by Ben Chace

Season 1 Father's Day Promotion and sneak peek at Lionel Loueke Trio (NEW VELLE RECORDS)

Our First Season

There's still time to get a set of Season One sent before our Spring Promotion expires on June 17th.  We are offering our First Season Box Set at a 15% discount.  We just got back from recording some of Season Four and its quite a feeling to look back at all the great music we've got to witness.   If you know someone who hasn't had a chance to hear Newvelle's first season of records this is a great chance to get them a present they'll never forget.  

Use the offer code FATHERSDAY for your 15% discount off Season One.  

Valid until June 17th

Video Shot by Jim Hoppin and edited by Ben Chace

We're back in the studio recording for Season Four, some surprising music that we can't wait to share with you.  Above is Matt Wilson with Billy Lester and Rufus Reid.  Along with Producer Elan Mehler and Engineer Marc Urselli.

Reid Anderson, came in with Tim Berne, Chris Speed and Dave King for a tribute to Ornette Coleman...

Cellist and composer Hank Roberts came in last week with Jacob Sacks and Vinnie Sperrazza.

Winner of the 2016 Recordings of the Year from the Audio Beat and Reviews from the New York Times, Stereophile, Downbeat and others here

Season One

Our first series of records with artwork by Bernard Plossu and text by Tracy K. Smith. Presented in a beautiful box set designed by Antoine Leroux.

Frank Kimbrough Quintet 

Jack Dejohnette Solo Piano 

Noah Preminger Quartet, featuring Ben Monder, John Patitucci and Billy Hart 

Don Friedman Trio, featuring the music of Booker Little with Phil Palombi on bass and Shinnosuke Takahashi on drums 

Ben Allison Trio, featuring Ted Nash on saxophone and clarinet and Steve Cardenas on guitar 

Leo Genovese Trio, featuring Esperanza Spaldingon bass and vocals and Jack DeJohnette on drums   

"In its focus on vinyl and its distinctive, brand-coherent album art, Newvelle is a kind of throwback to jazz’s midcentury glories. But it’s also timely."

--Giovanni Russonello, The New York Times

Use Offer Code FATHERSDAY for 15% off Season One.  Valid until June 17th.

Limited to 1 Set per member.

Sneak peek of Lionel Loueke's trio record coming in June.  Our third record of our Fourth Season.  This is a bonus track from the session, Coltrane's "Countdown."  Featuring Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland.

Luboš Soukup Quartet - Země (ANIMAL MUSIC 2018)

Luboš Soukup Quartet’s  latest release, Země,  features guitar and vocals from Lionel Loueke

Luboš Soukup Quartet has released their third studio album, titled Země (The Earth). The jazz album features guest appearances from guitarist Lionel Loueke, who brings a slightly African touch. As with the band’s earlier releases, all music and arrangements are composed exclusively by the Czech saxophonist Luboš Soukup, and it is the first of the quartet’s offerings to feature vocal arrangements.

Compared to their previous release, Through the Mirror, which was recorded with an ensemble of 14 musicians, Země is more intimate and personal. The quartet’s  essence stays the same, but new musical interactions are presented. The instruments featured on the recording (saxophone, guitar, piano, double bass, and drums) are reminiscent of the quartet’s debut album Beyond the Borders, which featured a guest appearance from guitarist David Dorůžka. However, Soukup introduces a new instrument to this project, which has not previously been typical of his music, the voice. 

The saxophonist again joins forces with Danish drummer Morten Hæsum, one of the quartet’s founding members, and German pianist Christian Pabst, who featured on the quartet’s previous album. They are joined by Danish bassist Morten Haxholm, who has been with the band since 2016, and New York-based, Benin-raised guitarist, Lionel Loueke, who accompanies the band for six tracks, including providing vocals for some of them. Luboš Soukup, recipient of the Danish Music Talent Award 2017, first met  Lionel Loueke at a Summer jazz workshop for professional musicians in Vallekilde, Denmark, three years ago. At the beginning of 2017, Soukup invited Loueke to join his quartet for a European tour, during which the five musicians performed at Jazz Festival Brno, the Czech Republic, and in Copenhagen, Denmark, amongst others, and finished the tour in Danish studio, The Village Recordings, where they recorded the music for Země. 

Music that celebrates the Earth 

The CD begins with title track Země (The Earth), which was inspired by Loueke’s music. “I wrote this composition with Lionel in mind,” says Soukup,  “we live in interesting times and our planet faces many issues. My wish is that people strive to be more environmentally-friendly and sustainable, and that we are in closer contact with nature. I think future lifestyles will have to be simpler, which is a rather difficult task in today’s world with all the incredible possibilities we have.” This optimistic song is followed by rather darker ballad, Dark Shark.The track description from the CD insert reads: “A dark shark is floating around your head, waiting for your good thoughts to eat.” Continuing with the marine imagery, following track The Red Sea — inspired by the picture of Moses stretching out his hand over the sea and God parting the waters — is one of the most rhythmically complex pieces on the album.


Soukup borrows the word ‘Shikara’ from the Salman Rushdie classic, Midnight’s children, as the title for a short poem about small colorful boats on Indian lakes, and the dialogue between piano and clarinet is the leitmotif of calm and dreamlike composition, White Horse. The dreamy mood continues in the second part of Smoke, which is also one of the most technically sophisticated compositions. Soukup found inspiration for this tune in the eponymous movie directed by Paul Auster and Wayne Wang. An interesting music development can be also heard in C. The piece opens with the collective improvisation of piano, guitar, and soprano saxophone, and features a main theme of Latin-American vibes, finally graduating in an exposed guitar solo The only tune that bears any hallmarks of the classical jazz of the1960s is Falling star, which captures the impression of a falling star freezing on the horizon. The final track on the album is a positive arrangement of the Czech folk song Na Bílé Hoře (On the White Mountain) which, thanks to Lionel Loueke’s contribution, has a distinctly African feel.

Notes

Luboš Soukup Quartet first formed in 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. During this time, the band has changed its lineup several times. The remaining original members of the project are Czech saxophonist and clarinettist Luboš Soukup, who is also the founder, band leader, and exclusive composer of all the band’s music, and Danish drummer Morten Hæsum, who is renowned for his innovative, highly interactive way of playing. In the current line-up, the band also features German pianist Christian Pabst, who brings a fresh, lyrical style to Soukup’s compositions, and Danish bassist Morten Haxholm, who ensures that the music’s foundation is mature and solid.

Soukup studied at three European music schools, The Jazz Conservatory in Prague, Czechia, The Music Academy in Katowice, Poland, and The Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2011, he became the first scholar of the benefit project Chocomusic, which was founded by the O2 Foundation alongside Strings of Autumn, one of the biggest Czech music festivals, and which contributes to foreign studies. During his studies abroad, Soukup fell in love with Scandinavian musical tradition and settled in Denmark.

In addition to the Luboš Soukup Quartet, he also leads the internationally successful quartet Points, and its expanded versions — Points Septet and PointsRataj Quintet (a jazz quartet with live electronics). He is a member of the energetic Scandinavian band MAdHAs, the Czech-Polish quintet Inner Spaces, and the Czech big band, Concept Art Orchestra etc. In recent years, he has been very  involved with composing music for his own bands, as well as other people’s  projects, and he teaches Saxophone and Ensemble at the Music and Dance  Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts (HAMU) in Prague.

The Benin-raised jazz guitarist Lionel Loueke makes a guest appearance on Země. Thanks to his originality, outstanding rhythm and well-honed technical skill, he has become one of the most sought after jazz musicians in the world today. He has previously featured in the work of Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, Dave Holland, Chris Potter and many more.

1. Země (The Earth) 6:12

2. Dark Shark 6:05

3. The Red Sea 4:12

4. Shikara 6:51

5. White Horse 4:01

6. C 7:03

7. Falling Star 6:05

8. Smoke 7:06

9. Na Bílé hoře (On the White Mountain) 4:53

All compositions by Luboš Soukup, except track 9 (Czech folk song arranged by Luboš Soukup).

Luboš Soukup – tenor and soprano saxophone, clarinet

Christian Pabst – piano

Morten Haxholm – acoustic bass

Morten Hæsum – drums

&

Lionel Loueke – guitar and vocal

Steve Cardenas' Charlie and Paul shipping now from Newvelle Records

Steve Cardenas' "Charlie and Paul" is a deeply personal statement about his long standing band mates Charlie Haden and Paul Motian.  Featuring other stellar alumni of Charlie and Paul's bands...  Loren Stillman on Sax, Thomas Morgan on Bass and Matt Wilson on Drums.  We are honored to have this stunning album kick off our Third Season.

"Charlie and Paul"

All Charlie and Paul tunes, a couple of which have never been recorded. These musicians came together to create something truly unique and also a testament to the genius and legacy of two towering artists.  Featuring Artwork from Maciej Markowicz and original text from Ingrid Astier.

©Anna Yatskevich

Chicagoan Andrew Zimmerman leads a stellar quartet featuring Dave Douglas on Trumpet, Kevin Hays on Piano and Matt Penman on Bass for our second record of the season.

The great Lionel Loueke returns leading a trio of Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland on his first album of standards for our third release of the season.

"If I’m beginning to sound like a broken record with my praise for the by-subscription releases from Newvelle Records, blame the people responsible for these LPs, which consistently rise to the top in terms of music and sound."

--Guy Lemcoe, The Audio Beat

Season Three:

· Steve Cardenas is releasing a record dedicated to greats Charlie Haden and Paul Motian. Recording, with a quartet built of long-time collaborators of both titans Loren Stillman on sax, Thomas Morgan on bass and Matt Wilson on drums, all Charlie and Paul tunes, a couple of which have never been recorded. (February 2018)

· The Chicagoan composer and saxophonist Andrew Zimmerman (previously featured on our first release, Frank Kimbrough’s “Meantime”) has put together a drumless quartet featuring pianist Kevin Hays (recording here on the same 9 foot Fazioli that Jack DeJohnette used), the bassist Matt Penman and the great Dave Douglas on trumpet. (April 2018)

· Lionel Loueke is releasing his first ever album of standards featuring extraordinary accomplices Reuben Rogers on bass and Eric Harland on drums. (June 2018)

· Skúli Sverrisson and Bill Frisell are releasing their first collaboration. All original music from Skúlli, much of it written for Bill. If you are familiar with Skúlli and Bill's music, you'll know what you're getting into, a record of uncommon depth and beauty. (August 2018)

· Incredible Cuban drummer Francisco Mela (McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, John Scofield) is releasing an album of all original material with his working band featuring Kris Davis, Gerald Cannon and Hery Paz. (October 2018)

· Boston based trumpeter Jason Palmer put together a band of his long time New York collaborators for a session of originals and original takes on standards with pianist Leo Genovese (previously featured on his own record on Newvelle), bassist Joe Martin and drummer Kendrick Scott. (December 2018)

All of our cover and interior photographs for Season three come fare by Maciej Markowicz .  Original text by Ingrid Astier,  Our Recording Engineer on all six records is the incomparable multi-Grammy winning Marc Urselli.  Mastering engineer is the brilliant Alex Deturk .  Jim Hoppin and Sarah Enid Hagey shot lovely video for us at these sessions.  All video editing is by the award-winning Ben Chace.  Anna Yatskevich shoots all our studio photos.

Marius Neset (with Lionel Loueke, Ivo Neame, Petter Eldh, Anton Eger & Jim Hart)– Circle of Chimes (ACT MUSIC 2017)