Mammal Hands - Shadow Work

Format: 2 x Vinyl LP - Limited Clear Vinyl Edition
Catalogue No.: GONDLP021LE
Barcode:  5050580757660
Release Date: 26th March 2021
Genre: Jazz (Crossover Jazz)

01: Black Sails
02: Wringer
03: Boreal Forest
04: Solitary Bee
05: Three Good Things
06: Living Frost
07: Near/Far
08: Straight Up Raining
09: Transfixed
10: Being Here

Limited Clear Vinyl Edition (350 copies only)

Captivating, ethereal and majestic, Mammal Hands (saxophonist Jordan Smart, pianist Nick Smart and drummer and percussionist Jesse Barrett) has carved out a refreshingly original sound from a disparate array of influences: drawing on spiritual jazz, north Indian, folk and classical music to create something inimitably their own. Hailing from Norwich, one of Britain's most isolated and most easterly cities, they have forged their own path away from the musical mainstream and their unique sound grew out of long improvised rehearsals. All three members contibute equally to the writing process: one that favours the creation of a powerful group dynamic over individual solos. Their records are entrancing and beautiful affairs, while their hypnotic live shows have seen them hailed as one of the most exciting bands in Europe as they push their unique line-up to the outer limits of its possibilities.

Shadow Work is their third album and the first they have self-produced. Recorded at 80 Hertz Studios, Gondwana Records home from home in Manchester, it is the result of 18 months of intensive touring and mammoth writing sessions. The energy from their exhilarating live performances has fed into the writing process and yet there is a quiet reflective side to this album, giving it an expanded emotional range that draws the listener deep into Mammal Hand's sound world. One that builds on the sound of their previous recordings, Animalia and the beautiful Floa, but is wider than ever, with the use of prepared piano strings, more prominent effects and field recordings all adding to the band's most ambitious and accomplished album to date. The striking artwork is by Daniel Halsall and reflects the organic, natural influences underpinning the band's music alongside a darker, modern minimalism.


FEATURE Jazzwise October issue, reviews Mojo, Uncut, Guardian, Record Collector, Clash, DiS, Blues & Soul, DJ Mag, The Jazz Standard/EZH, Jazz Magazine France, jazz Thing Germany etcAIRPLAY Gilles Peterson 6 Music, Mary Anne Hobbs 6 Music, Huey 6 Music, Freakzone 6 Music, Jamie Cullum BBC Radio 2, Jazz Now BBC Radio 3, Radio Reverb, TSF, FIP, NDR,

20th Oct - Ropery Hall - HULL

24th Oct - Belgrave Music Hall - LEEDS

26th Oct - Nice 'n' Sleazy - GLASGOW

27th Oct - Band On The Wall - MANCHESTER

10th Nov - Epic Studios - NORWICH

17th Nov - Patterns - BRIGHTON

20th Nov - Union Chapel - LONDON

7th Dec - The Fleece - BRISTOL

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