Architects of Sound Return With AOS II, Arriving Worldwide June 5 via SRG Jazz

Architects of Sound II (AOS II) will be released globally on all major streaming and download platforms on Friday, June 5, through SRG Jazz, distributed by Virgin Music Group and Universal Music Group.

The creative force behind a string of contemporary jazz successes from artists including Damien Escobar, David Benoit, and Randy Brecker is back with a new chapter. Architects of Sound is the collaborative project of SRG/ILS CEO Claude Villani and jazz fusion icon Jeff Lorber, whose musical partnership has continued to evolve since Villani signed Lorber to the SRG Jazz label.

Their collaboration began with Lorber’s first SRG Jazz release, Elevate, which Villani co-produced and contributed to as a songwriter. Among the album’s highlights was “Teardrops In The Rain,” a Top 10 hit penned by Villani.

The inspiration for AOS II grew from the chemistry and momentum created during the making of the duo’s debut project, AOS I. According to Villani, the success of the first album and the abundance of material recorded during those sessions made a follow-up a natural next step.

“The project was so successful, and we had such a great time working on AOS I and literally recorded so many amazing records, that we said, why not go back to the lab and recreate the magic,” Villani said.

That magic was evident on AOS I, which produced “Where We Belong,” a Billboard Top 5 jazz single. For Lorber, the appeal of the project has always been its freedom from convention.

“The project allowed for us to get away from the traditional mentality and allowed for us to just have fun with no restrictions,” Lorber said.

For AOS II, Villani and Lorber once again wrote and produced every track, creating an album that showcases both their songwriting chemistry and their shared passion for contemporary jazz.

The project features an impressive lineup of musicians, including Gary Novak, Lenny Castro, Mark Lettieri, Cornelius Mims, and David Mann. Lorber praised the opportunity to bring longtime friends and collaborators into the recording process, noting Mann’s significant contributions as both an arranger and saxophonist.

The album also carries a deeper personal significance for Lorber. Following the devastating fires of 2025, rebuilding became part of the creative journey.

“This project also allowed me to start over and rebuild after losing so much during the fires last year, so it was a rebirth in so many ways,” Lorber shared.

One of the most emotional aspects of returning to the studio was rebuilding a recording environment capable of meeting the standards he and Villani had established over years of collaboration. Notably, the final song recorded in Lorber’s previous studio was “755” from the AOS I project.

With AOS II, Architects of Sound continue to push the boundaries of contemporary jazz while celebrating the creative partnership that has fueled the project from the very beginning.

Architects of Sound II Track Listing:

1. Incognito
2. Horizons
3. Kyoto
4. Summer Solstice
5. Orvieto
6. Riding The Wave
7. Turn It Up
8. Beyond Blue
9. Coffee Shop
10. The Last to Know
11. Strawberry Letter 23 (featuring LeVelle)