{"title":"Ishmael Ensemble","description":"\u003cp\u003eBritish jazz collective, based in Bristol. \r\n\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"in-a-dub-styler","title":"In a Dub Styler","description":"\u003cp\u003eIshmael Ensemble return with another mighty south-west link up this time handing the controls to dub and roots music legends Dubkasm. \u2028\u2028As soon as Ishmael Ensemble finished their collaborative ‘New Era’ EP with Rider Shafique, bandleader Pete Cunningham knew he wanted to have it remixed in the classic dub-style; and who better to enlist than Bristol’s finest, DJ Stryda and Digistep aka Dubkasm. \u2028\u2028Following in the well worn footsteps of dub legends such as King Tubby, Mad Professor and Scientist - Dubkasm rework and authentically dub the original recordings and warp them into a sound-system ready collection of heavy hitting, deep sonic explorations complimented perfectly by Rider’s iconic voice and potent, thought provoking lyricism.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Severn Songs","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\" - 2167908","offer_id":50402743845195,"sku":"2167908","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a1589115772_16_d3101b47_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726554796"},{"product_id":"new-era-2","title":"New Era","description":"\u003cp\u003eIshmael Ensemble return with ‘Reasons’ the lead single from their EP\u003ci\u003e New Era\u003c\/i\u003e, a collaborative project with lyricist and MC Rider Shafique.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIshmael Ensemble’s Pete Cunningham says: “I first came across Rider Shafique about 6 years ago after I heard his piece “I-Dentity” via Bristol’s Young Echo collective and was immediately struck by his powerful way with words. A true master of his craft. This record was an opportunity to lean into the more bass-heavy side of my music taste. I’ve always been a massive fan of dub in all its forms and producers like King Tubby, Adrian Sherwood and Pinch have been a constant source of inspiration over the years. This sound palette coupled with a voice like Rider’s is something I’ve always wanted to make so I’m super happy with what we’ve produced here.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Severn Songs","offers":[{"title":"12\"","offer_id":50432529924427,"sku":"2006300","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50432529432907,"sku":"2006299","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/0-1_569cd5d0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726869950"},{"product_id":"visions-of-light","title":"Visions of Light","description":"\u003cp\u003eBristol experimental jazz collective Ishmael Ensemble reveal their expansive new album \u003ci\u003eVisions of Light\u003c\/i\u003e. The follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2019 debut \u003ci\u003eA State of Flow,\u003c\/i\u003e praised by the likes of The Guardian, Mojo, The Wire and tastemakers across BBC 6Music, this sophomore record sees the group reimagine what an ‘ensemble’ can do; expanding into a shifting collective, where human relationships between artists underpin far-ranging, stunningly ambitious and emotionally heavyweight compositions. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcross the album’s 10 tracks, Cunningham practices a holistic approach with a long list of collaborators. Together, they explore vast new sonic terrain with an honesty, intimacy and emotional heft impossible for a conventional band. \u003ci\u003eVisions Of Light\u003c\/i\u003e tells the story of Ishmael Ensemble’s development across its two sides. The first draws from the energy Cunningham and his bandmates discovered whilst extensively touring \u003ci\u003eA State Of Flow\u003c\/i\u003e. The album opens with a cascade of harp glissandos and the gorgeous ‘Feather’ – Holysseus Fly’s lush vocal lulling the listener into a false sense of security, before her voice is warped beyond recognition in the high-octane, cacophonous ‘Wax Werk’. The tracks that follow take a darker, heavier turn. The driving, uninhibited performances of Stephen Mullins (guitar) and Rory O’Gorman (drums), along with Jake Spurgeon’s agile synth work, lay the foundation for Cunningham to deliver his most confident and direct saxophone performances to date. Side B sees Cunningham settle into his role as producer and collaborator, resetting the scene with the vivid and playful ‘Looking Glass’, inviting vocalist, harpist and strings arranger Stanlaey to take centre stage. The landscape shifts again for the movingly nostalgic ‘Morning Chorus’, whilst ‘The Gift’ sees the angelic vocals of Tiny Chapter (Waldo’s Gift) initiate a dizzying crescendo of swirling synthesisers and string arrangements. When \u003ci\u003eVisions Of Light \u003c\/i\u003eresolves with the gorgeous slow-burner ‘January’, it is with an unmistakable hopefulness – something that, in these times of disquietude, is urgently felt.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Severn Songs","offers":[{"title":"Red LP","offer_id":50441080406347,"sku":"2212981","price":28.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50441079882059,"sku":"1120581","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50463650971979,"sku":"1120580","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Visions_of_Light_d36374ff_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726972693"},{"product_id":"a-state-of-flow","title":"A State Of Flow","description":"\u003cp\u003eFollowing a banner year for Pete Cunningham — best known as dextrous saxophonist Ishmael and leader of the namesake Ishmael Ensemble – 2019 now brings debut album \u003ci\u003eA State of Flow\u003c\/i\u003e. This new long player builds on Cunningham’s work as proud protector of Bristolian heritage, sketching loving sonic pictures of the South West in his Bristol-inspired \u003ci\u003eSevern Songs\u003c\/i\u003e series, whilst also incubating local visual and musical talent, within the Ensemble.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt touches on various styles of jazz, stirring ambient invocations, club-ready percussive workouts, spiralling grooves and hazy psychedelic electronica. This would be a confusing melange, but for Cunningham’s excursions as a genre-agnostic DJ – something evident in the real house shuffle of \u003ci\u003eLapwing\u003c\/i\u003e – which evokes walking into a smoky after hours haunt and finding a session in full, forward motion or the organic garage beats of \u003ci\u003eFull Circle\u003c\/i\u003e and classic trip hop style \u003ci\u003eWaterfall\u003c\/i\u003e fuelled by Holysseus Fly’s honey toned and evocative vocals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Severn Songs","offers":[{"title":"Brown | LP","offer_id":50498579398987,"sku":"1152115","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50498580578635,"sku":"1063760","price":15.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50498578481483,"sku":"1079260","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/207afbdf-cdfd-4940-8284-89e1997e98d8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727750018"},{"product_id":"the-rituals","title":"Rituals","description":"\u003cp\u003eIshmael Ensemble’s third longplayer \u003ci\u003eRituals\u003c\/i\u003e marks a significant leap for the Bristolian musicians. With their live-instrumentation-meets-electronic merging of styles, the group were always broader than the ‘new UK jazz’ tag which they were often given, but here their scope and boundary-pushing ambition is more evident than ever before. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStill maintaining a blend of spiritual jazz, dub, experimental and electronic soundscapes, here those elements are vigorously whipped-up into huge cyclones of sound, more song-based and accessible than before, but also almost psychedelic in its euphonic blend of colours, textures, facets and moods.  \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Severn Songs","offers":[{"title":"Yellow LP | Rough Trade Exclusive","offer_id":50531560030539,"sku":"2200737","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50531559309643,"sku":"2200730","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531559178571,"sku":"2200729","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Rituals_Album_Art_-_Alfie_Allen_e6ffb90f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728109803"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_6a8be672_thumbnail_4096_bab46ce7-8f08-41c3-b6f3-015b590d0f91.jpg?v=1726554773","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/ishmael-ensemble.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}