Here & Now Recordings

Ambient Jazz Ensemble - Spirit Dance, feat. "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun"

 Ambient Jazz Ensemble - Spirit Dance

Whilst remaining cinematic, this set of tracks share more emotive themes, a reference to the human condition. The feeling is one of reflection and reconnection, a post-pandemic rediscovery of freedom and joy of life.

Spirit Dance is inspired by tribal gatherings - clubs, parties, concerts - a celebration of the human spirit. Part I is a freewheeling swung groove featuring a triumphant horns theme and a piano solo by Sam Crowe. Part II is a chordal strings build with vocals and brass in unison; anthemic and heartfelt in equal measures.

Magnetic is about attraction and feelings over which you have no control - a track that simmers while remaining chilled, atmospheric and sultry. Using a repeated flugel theme, the piece squeezes all it can from a simple chordal sequence, with horns, drums and Hammond building the magnetic pull.

I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun is a cover of Rotary Connection's 1971 soul classic (from Hey Love, produced by Charles Stepney) - a rare-groove staple widely sampled and covered, including by A Tribe Called Quest. Colin Baldry: “I've forever been a fan of Rotary Connection and particularly the arranging and production genius of Charles Stepney… My version attempts to reflect the lyrics' wonder of humanity and nature, with a large-scale arrangement and a faster tempo to make it as celebratory as possible.” The track features Donna Gardier on vocals, interpreting Minnie Riperton's original performance with a soulful vocal arrangement and gospel choir backing vocals.

Championed on BBC 6 Music: Craig Charles played it multiple times on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show - “It’s a work of beauty, it’s a work of genius” - and Gilles Peterson gave it the same praise: “I really like this, the way they’ve done it.” Soweto Kinch also played it on BBC radio.

True North was motivated by direction and momentum - with respect to human endeavour it portrays purpose, drive and ambition, built around a pulse that drives the repetitive chords forward before releasing into a strings-and-horns theme with a sense of arrival and discovery.

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Full Credits

Colin Baldry: Double Bass, Bass Guitar, Synths/Keys, Acoustic Guitar, Kalimba
Sam Baldry: Drums
Ben Reynolds: Drums*
Chris Hill: Double Bass*
Sam Crowe: Piano, Rhodes
Kit Downes: Piano*
Lynsey Ward: Vocals
Donna Gardier: Vocals*
Keith Fairburn: Percussion
Gary Hammond: Percussion*
Tom Kane: Hammond, French Horn
Ollie Weston: Saxes, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Solo Soprano Sax
Andy Ross: Saxes, Alto Flute, Solo Flute
Dominic Glover: Trumpet, Flugel
Nichol Thomson: Trombone
Dave Le Page: Violin
Chris Windass: Violin
Errika Horsley: Viola
Jane Fenton: Cello
Martyn Jackson: Violin*
Jenny Sacha: Violin*

* I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun

Mixed & Mastered by George Shilling
Artwork by Lasse Hoile (a slow-shutter-speed shot of a dancer in a forest)