U.K. jazztronica duo
Blue Lab Beats issued
Motherland Journey, their
Blue Note debut, in April 2022. Despite already establishing a global fan base with their stage show, singles, mixes, and albums,
Motherland Journey added a stylistic extension to their jazz-hop brand.
Blue Eclipse follows two years of intense -- and eclectic -- activity by
NK-OK and
Mr DM; they issued no less than a dozen singles, including the charting "Gotta Go Fast" from the Royal Albert Hall stage with guests
Jackson Mathod,
JFAbraham,
the Multi-Story Orchestra, and
Xvngo.
Blue Eclipse ups the creative ante. Opener "Never Doubt" commences with modal piano and ticking hi-hat cymbals before a fusion vibe glides in and transforms itself into nocturnal jazz-funk with junglist percussion, elegant guitars, and dimensional ambience. The single "Say Wow," a sexy party jam, melds a disco bassline, handclaps, percussion loops, sampled electric guitars, and vocals --rapped and sung -- by
IDK,
Jay Prince, and
Nico Harris. The sophisticated neo-soul in "Rice & Peas" harkens back to the duo's formative years in London clubs with sensual, sweet vocals from
Kyra assisted by
Bnny Hunna and
Aidan. "Cherry Blossom" is a tender instrumental groover led by flute and buoyed by
Parthenope's layered strings,
Ben Jones' elliptical guitars, hand percussion, and staggered loops. Single "Wait a While" melds vocals by soul singer songwriter
Farah Audhali and
Moonchild's
Amber Navran. 'Sunset in L.A." adds jazzy funk to disco and hip-hop in a glorious instrumental interlude. It's followed by the junglist fusion of "Nights in Tokyo" with mixologist supreme
Kaidi Tatham. The single "Take Time" melds Afrofuturist soul and funk with jazz harmony and hip-hop rhythms with a rap by
Kojey Radical and R&B vocals by
Daley. Star-studded instrumental single "Guava" weds jazz-funk, Nigerian-styled highlife, and South African township music. The women in the horn section --
Poppy Daniels on trumpet;
Kokoroko trombonist
Richie Seivwright, and saxophonist
Camilla George are aided by the duo and
Tatham's live mix. It gives way to the fluid guitar, horns, and keys-driven fusion of the warm title track. The closer, "Brother," features guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter
Natalie Lindi wedding soul, funk, pop, and contemporary jazz. The
Blue Lab Beats weave in spidery beats, lush strings and ambience, jazz piano, and shadowy horns to send things off on a transcendent note.
Blue Eclipse is fully realized, a 12-track, groove-intensive set that's so smooth and delicious it's a top candidate for the summer soundtrack of 2024. ~ Thom Jurek
