indigo jam unit, a Japanese super heavy jazz dance fusion supergroup, are set to release their specially compiled album in the UK for the first time. They are renowned for their unique blend of hard-hitting piano and percussion-driven jazz.
Gilles Peterson asked Colin Curtis to start his radio show on Worldwide FM called Jazz Dance Fusion at the beginning of the pandemic in May 2020 and this meant he could introduce underexposed music that he loved. indigo jam unit was a natural fit. Following a conversation with his long-time Jazz Ally Paul Murphy of Jazz Room Records, they both quickly decided that now was the time to unleash some of the best indigo jam unit tracks to the world on an exclusive vinyl-only release.
With pounding bass lines, percussive piano breaks, and the distinct addition of two drummers and percussionists, indigo jam unit’s sound is truly unique. They have carved a path for emerging bands in the jazz scene of today.
The four musicians from Osaka, Japan – Isao Wasano (Drums Percussion), Katsuhiko Sasai (Bass Double Bass), Takehiro Shimizu (Drums), and Yoshichika Tarue (Piano) – take no prisoners with their uncompromising style! Power, passion, drive, and incredible playing – like a lethal force.
From 2006 to 2016, they had a prolific output of albums with single-minded titles: Demonstration, Realism, Collectivity, Pirates, Roots, Independent Rebel, Milestone, Lights, and more – over 17 projects.
indigo jam unit embody the same energy as those jazz dance greats like Art Blakey, Dom Um Romao, Stone Alliance, and the like – just uncompromising raw passion!
There is something undeniably special when a band of three clicks. Some would say finding three good musicians playing music together isn’t a hard task. Finding seasoned artists who can make a trio sound like a band twice their size though, well that’s special. Founded by Soulive member, writer and drummer of over 15 years Alan Evans, the Alan Evans Trio, aka Ae3, is a power soul organ trio consisting of Alan Evans, Danny Mayer (Eric Krasno Band) and Kris Yunker (Jen Durkin and the Business) and is undeniably special.
Evans, Mayer and Yunker have spent years individually and collectively touring the world bringing the soulful music they love to a captive audience. Each of these musicians are true artists who have bold and confident voices yet they create one massive sound together that is truly their own.
The trio’s sound proves hard-driving and groovy with deep, funky melodies and powerful, rhythmic counterplay. Ae3 opens a window into another side – an emotional introspection, as dark as it is powerful. Their passionate progressions emanate an electrified, smoky, 70s-era CTI Records zeitgeist. Mention the name Alan Evans to a room full of music lovers, and you will get a consensus nod at one of the most celebrated and tenacious drummers in the jazz, funk, and soul scene. A producer, recording engineer, guitarist, percussionist, vocalist and writer, Alan‘s repertoire of skills have been perfected with more than a decade of dedication.
As Ae3, the outfit has four albums under their belt: their debut Drop Hop was released on Royal Family Records in 2012, while sophomore full-length Merkaba landed in 2013. But it wasn’t until 5 years later, in 2019, that we got The Wild Root, released on Alan Evans‘ own imprint Vintage League Music, which was soon followed by Elephant Head in 2021.
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