‘Sage Secrets‘ is the latest EP from PYJÆN, a quintet that seamlessly melds funk, afro-beat and contemporary sounds with nods to hip-hop and disco, whilst acknowledging the heady days of 1920’s era jazz. The EP takes the listener on a tour of the group’s broad influences. It’s rock-solid rhythm section, triumphant brass fanfares and truly impressive musicianship across the board produce a truly one of a kind listen. Pyjæn join forces (on the A side) with the incredible Blue Lab Beats, giving you the joyous, head nod inducing jam of title track ‘Sage Secrets’ where the notes and grooves float on by with perfect ease, then it’s onto the football chant celebrations of ‘PJFC’ where we get some playful horns and swinging sax on a driving percussion which leads perfectly into the glistening Motown-esque ‘Gold Plated’ featuring the wonderful voice of Odette Peters .On the Flip side we get the uptempo sunshine swing of ‘Sugar Rush’ were the horns shine bright to take front stage only temporarily pausing to let the cool sax have its moment. ‘Bittersweet’ leads us out of the EP with its beautiful melancholic sound, a horn plays bittersweet (of course) with an understated e-guitar but as the drums become more intense so does the rest of the ensemble, producing crescendos reminiscent of the works of Morricone in his spaghetti western productions. A great release from Pyjæn, fantastic to see more quality Jazz getting out there and so refreshing to see the next generation take the traditional elements of the genre and infuse it with modern influences.
Check out the title track:
Dani Diodato – Guitar
Dylan Jones – Trumpet
Ben Vize – Saxophone
Charlie Hutchinson – Drums
Benjamine Crane – Bass
Odette Peters – Vocals [Gold Plated]
David Mrakpor – Keys [Sage Secrets]
NK-OK – Production [Sage Secrets]
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