ISHMAEL ENSEMBLE - Visions Of Light (Repress)

Bristol experimental jazz collective Ishmael Ensemble reveal their expansive new album Visions of Light. The
follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2019 debut A State of Flow, praised by the likes of The Guardian, Mojo, The
Wire and tastemakers across BBC 6Music, this sophomore record sees the group reimagine what an 'ensemble' can do; expanding
into a shifting collective, where human relationships between artists underpin far-ranging, stunningly ambitious and emotionally
heavyweight compositions.
Helmed by producer and saxophonist Pete Cunningham, Ishmael Ensemble's richly inventive 2019 debut A State Of Flow marked
them out as an explosive new force in UK jazz, imbuing lush cinematic compositions with left-field dub and electronic sensibilities
redolent of Bristol's vital musical landscape. Named The Guardian's 'Contemporary Album Of The Month' and Mojo's 'Jazz Album of
The Month', it saw the group perform Maida Vale sessions for both Gilles Peterson and Tom Ravenscroft, as well as feature on
compilations for Brownswood Recordings and Soul Jazz Records. Cunningham's rise as an in-demand producer led to remixes
for the likes of techno royalty Carl Craig, as well as legendary jazz label Blue Note Records alongside a plethora of the UK's finest
musical talent on Blue Note Re:Imagined.

Ishmael Ensemble has since become a platform for Cunningham to subvert the conventional notions of producer/artist relationships,
unsettling genre tags, and transcending the familiar landscape of UK jazz itself. Across the album's 10 tracks, Cunningham practices a
holistic approach with a long list of collaborators. Together, they explore vast new sonic terrain with an honesty, intimacy and
emotional heft impossible for a conventional band.
Visions Of Light tells the story of Ishmael Ensemble's development across its two sides. The first draws from the energy Cunningham
and his bandmates discovered whilst extensively touring A State Of Flow.
The album opens with a cascade of harp glissandos and the gorgeous 'Feather' - Holysseus Fly's lush vocal lulling the listener into a
false sense of security, before her voice is warped beyond recognition in the high-octane, cacophonous 'Wax Werk'. The tracks that
follow take a darker, heavier turn. The driving, uninhibited performances of Stephen Mullins (guitar) and Rory O'Gorman (drums),
along with Jake Spurgeon's agile synth work, lay the foundation for Cunningham to deliver his most confident and direct saxophone
performances to date.
Side B sees Cunningham settle into his role as producer and collaborator, resetting the scene with the vivid and playful 'Looking
Glass', inviting vocalist, harpist and strings arranger STANLAEY to take centre stage. The landscape shifts again for the movingly
nostalgic 'Morning Chorus', whilst 'The Gift' sees the angelic vocals of Tiny Chapter (Waldo's Gift) initiate a dizzying crescendo of
swirling synthesisers and string arrangements. When Visions Of Light resolves with the gorgeous slow-burner 'January', it is with an
unmistakable hopefulness - something that, in these times of disquietude, is urgently felt.

Vinyl release of Ishmael Ensemble - Visions Of Light (Repress). Released through SEVERN SONGS and available on LP.