Nick Walters And The Paradox Ensemble

2a023 sees trumpeter, friend and long-time label affiliate Nick Walters bring his Paradox Ensemble back to life with the mini-album 'Awakening'. The thirteen piece ensemble combine spiritual and eastern jazz moods with West African rhythms across four extended tracks. Limited one-off pressing, manufactured at Optimal, Germany.

Channelling the spirit of Woody Shaw, Charles Mingus and absent friends the band features some familiar faces such as Ed Cawthorne (aka Tenderlonious) on tenor sax and flute, Aidan Shepherd (Ruby Rushton) on accordion and synth, and of course the incomparable Nick Walters (Ruby Rushton & Riot Jazz) on trumpet and synths.

Nick Walters is arguably one of the most underrated musicians in the UK jazz scene. This project on 22a, which is entirely composed and arranged by him and featuring a roster of unbelievably talented musicians, will hopefully change this. He has dedicated this record to the memory of Oli Coles and Becky Dykes.