Moments Brighter Than The Sun

Presenting Rory Green, a Manchester-based composer, guitarist and bandleader whose debut album Moments Brighter Than The Sun weaves together contemporary ambient, jazz and folk influences into music of remarkable warmth, depth and togetherness. Drawing on childhood memories spanning Ghana and Northern England mill towns, his richly textured ensemble sound transforms personal stories into expansive, deeply emotive compositions.

The album brings together influences, including Nils Frahm, Fabiano do Nascimento and even label mates Jasmine Myra and Portico Quartet, with childhood memories that bridge Manchester’s mill towns and cosmopolitan Accra. It’s a harmonic exercise in togetherness from an artist who could otherwise have simply organised the music around his spectacular guitar playing.

This atmospheric debut album combines evocative contemporary ambient, jazz and folk traditions, where electronic elements infuse improvised, conversational music performed by an acoustic ensemble made up of longtime friends. It’s a supremely confident approach. Moments Brighter Than The Sun is the product of deep talent and years of honing emotive musicality. Born in Ghana, Rory Green spent his toddler years in England before the family returned to Accra, where they stayed until he was seven. Back in the UK, the family moved around a lot, mostly in Manchester. Whilst he rejects the assumption that he should sound a certain way simply because of his dual heritage, he has brought the sonic world of his childhood into the music – and he has done so on his own terms of engagement.  “My earliest memories are living in Ghana. I remember there was a lot of afrobeat and hi-life, in the shops or in people’s cars, and the huge talking drums on Labadi beach. Or Pink Floyd’s ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ which my dad would play all the time at home.”  

Moments Brighter Than The Sun was recorded with his ensemble in Manchester. Having already laid down his guitar and synthesiser parts he drew the assembled saxophonists (tenor and soprano), double bassist and drummer deep into the stories and meanings in the mostly instrumental set of songs which themselves draw on deep emotions.  

The album was produced by Rory Green alongside Gondwana boss Matthew Halsall, who plays flute – a new instrument for the musician better known as a trumpeter – on the title track. Green crossed paths with Gondwana initially through loving the releases, particularly Mammal Hands and pianist Hania Rani. Meeting Matthew Halsall in person at Jasmine Myra’s debut album launch in 2022 began a process that led to his signing.  

These days, Green is increasingly in demand, bringing his richly layered and sensitive style to support slots with Laura Misch and Mansur Brown, and in Brazil with Bryony Jarman-Pinto, and in performance with harpist-beatmaker Marysia Osu.   

Rory Green’s pan-continental melodies and rhythmic riches have already taken him on a journey, from talented instrumentalist to uniquely captivating artist we’ll be listening to for years to come.