Joe Kaptein - Eternal Afternoons

Sarang Bang Records

£27.14

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: SBR038LP
Barcode: 4251804184397
Release Date: 31 Jan 2025
Genre: Jazz/Psych-Lounge/Krautrock/Funk

Limited-edition vinyl LP. Five original compositions, opening with the sunny jazz-funk of debut single “Unwavering”, Latin jazz-dance groover “Eternal Afternoon”, the Mizell Brothers-esque funk exploration “Sundown”, soul-jazz slow burner “Lonnie”, and the 13-minute dub-funk epic “Gene’s Groove”.

Sarang Bang Records proudly presents Eternal Afternoon, the latest full-length offering from Auckland-based composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Joe Kaptein.

Drawing inspiration from the 70s jazz-funk innovations of Donald Byrd and Lonnie Liston Smith and elements of dub and disco, Eternal Afternoon is an uplifting collection of five original Kaptein compositions - a joyful antidote to these troubled times.

Featuring Kaptein’s intricately layered keys and tight ensemblearrangements, the album is augmented by masterful touches of flute and saxophone by Aotearoa New Zealand jazz icon Nathan Haines and backed by local heavyweights Elijah Whyte (drums) and Wil Goodinson (bass), the backbone of Kaptein’s regular working band.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Kaptein appeared on the Auckland scene a few years ago and quickly made a name for himself owing to his versatility, impeccable taste and musicianship, and has established himself as the go-to keyboardist for the likes of Nathan Haines, The Circling Sun, Princess Chelsea, The Situations, and Muroki.

Before recording Eternal Afternoon, Kaptein somehow managed to channel his unrelenting creative energy into three low-key, but brilliant self-released digital albums in between his hectic international touring schedule and session work. These exploratory recordings touch on drummachine and synth-driven psych-lounge, Krautrock, experimental jazz, and Bacharachian pop, allowing the listener a glimpse into the depth of Kaptein’s vision and his wide-ranging musical interests.

Tracklist: Side A 1 Unwavering (4:45) 2 Eternal Afternoon (7:59) 3 Sundown (7:32) Side B 4 Lonnie (8:13) 5 Gene’s Groove (12:45)