Premiere: Ishmael Ensemble ‘Full Circle feat. Holysseus Fly’

Bristol contemporary jazz and electronic outfit Ishmael Ensemble will release their debut LP, ‘A State of Flow’ on 3rd May.

Following a banner year in 2018, saxophonist and band leader Peter Cunningham moves Ishmael Ensemble forward from its beloved ‘Severn Songs’ series, and sees the six-piece outfit and collaborators championing the UK’s thriving contemporary jazz sound while simultaneously keeping in step with experimental and inventive electronic tropes.

Where the three-part ‘Severn Songs’ saw the group and collaborators like Yazz Ahmed writing musical odes to Bristol and the south west, ‘A State of Flow’ – the fourth release on Severn Songs –welcomes more players into the group and finds Cunningham and company expanding their sonic horizons. With electronic and experimental influences from Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith to Radiohead providing as much inspiration as contemporary and stalwart jazz performers.

Below, you can hear ‘Full Circle’, a lush track which harks to early Bonobo albums and features a stunning vocal performances from Holysseus Fly.

Ishmael Ensemble are heading on tour from May. Find tickets for their show in your town here.

Pre-order ‘A State Of Flow’ here, featuring marvellous artwork from Holysseus Fly herself, AKA Holly Wellington.