Kai Winding
Dirty Dog

Trumpeter and composer Nick Walters returns to 22a with his second album for the label - a free and spiritual journey into avant-garde jazz!'Active Imagination' is the result of the bringing together of musicians for a day in the studio, with minimal rehearsal, to collectively experiment and improvise in the moment - in contrast to the more composed and structured recordings of the Paradox Ensemble album 'Awakening' released on 22a back in January of this year. All musicians contributed their distinctive and individual voices, creating a united force of spiritual, free-form jazz. Each composition is based on a different mode, all with their own unique flavour:‘So Long Chef’ is a nod to jazz legend John Coltrane, with its chords jumping by major thirds, before a more static middle section, offering a chance for Walters and Jeff Guntren (tenor sax) to explore its Lydian mode.‘Ahimsa’ is a meditative reflection and group improvisation, based around a simple theme in the Mixolydian mode, resulting in a spiritual journey steered by Rebecca Nash’s hypnotic piano solo.‘Gordian Knot’ was conceived as a vehicle for Ed Cawthorne (aka Tenderlonious) to cut loose on soprano sax in the Phrygian mode, which he achieves with devastating effect, backed up by Nim Sadot’s infectious bass hook and complimented by an equally striking trumpet solo from the band leader.Finally ‘Dansoman Last Stop’ uses the Dorian mode to channel the spirit of a bustling travel interchange in southern Accra, Ghana. Inspired by Walters journey through West Africa several years ago it features another exquisite trumpet solo from the leading man.This one off session perfectly captures the essence of Walters’ experiences and influences in life. In his first album, ‘Awakening,’ and with this new record, you can hear this is a man at the top of his game, inspired by his life experiences. His playing with West African fusion bands and travelling the world can be felt in each ofthese compositions. He is arguably one of the most sought after and respected musicians in the UK Jazz scene, ‘Active Imagination’ will further enhance those claims!

Released in 1977, Ellipse features Hammond on percussion, drums, piano and voice along with Karen Joseph on flute and alto flute. Moving fluidly from the uptempo “Warm Up” to the deep, dreamy “Concentric Dream”, this session runs the gamut with Hammond drawing inspiration from an “inner-voice that has roots in Africa, which manifests itself through impressions perceived by the composer in America from his African ancestors”. A rare and underrated spiritual jazz excursion, reissued on vinyl for the first time in decades.

Five years after his critically acclaimed debut album Throwback, Glenn Astro returns with his deeply personal album Homespun, releasing on Tartelet Records this October.Marking a change in course from his first release on Tartelet Records, Glenn Astro is set to showcase his sophomore album Homespun, a testament to a visionary artist who has come into his own.Made up of ten tracks spanning 45 minutes, the record twists and turns between electronic meditations, soulful vocals by Ajnascnet, and futuristic electro, carving out a world of spacey eclecticism that is as nostalgic as it is experimental.“This album is in all facets different from the first one, which was a deliberate decision. No vintage sounds and references, no sampling, combined with futuristic sound design and song structures. Less obvious references, more everything else. I tried to keep it as current and intuitive as possible,” he says.Known for his chunky beats and fuzzy textures, Glenn Astro was a key figure in the wave of MPC-heavy house music that spread like wildfire between 2013 and 2015. Since then, he has released on labels such as Ninja Tune and Apollo, leaving a distinctive signature on everything he touches.But Glenn Astro has quietly been crafting a new sound for himself. Sometimes taking detours – morphing into his dark alter ego and experimenting with artist collaborations. The sound of Homespun is a culmination of several years of reflection and artistic development – however, the album itself was produced in less than three months.“I set myself an ultimatum to finish the album within three months. If I didn’t make it, I’d have to rethink my career path and keep music as a hobby. If it wasn’t for this album I’d be selling home-assembled ballpoint pens now,” he says.On the introspective first single and album title track “Homespun,” Ajnascent’s vocals lend a sincerity to the melancholic production. “It’s about the regret of not taking chances and giving in too much, but also about taking responsibility and being honest with yourself. Homespun is a nod to nostalgia and a desire for simplicity and prudence, being equally the culprit and the cure,” elaborates Ajnascent.On “The Yancey,” an homage to J Dilla, Glenn Astro paints his vision of contemporary dance music with shimmering melodies, deep ambient soundscapes, and advanced drum programming. “Moreira” and “Look at You” feel like spaced-out electronic funk hybrids, while “Taking Care of Business” goes back to the future with Glenn Astro’s take on jungle. Other tracks such as “Mezzanine,” “Slow Poke Flange,” and “Viktor’s Meditation” provide the finest dubby electronics.