The Solange, Frank Ocean and Connan Mockasin collaborator’s Septet lands via Stones Throw Records.
John Carroll Kirby has announced the release of a new solo album. Septet is scheduled for arrival in June courtesy of Stones Throw Records, deepening a fruitful relationship that first began last year through the release of Kirby’s disparate and well-received albums Conflict and My Garden.
As its title alludes, the Californian multi-instrumentalist’s forthcoming album sees a realignment to ensemble-based performance with accompaniment provided by a cast of six musicians that features The Mars Volta alumni Deantoni Parks among its personnel. The results heard within Septet’s first preview; the heady and funk-laden ‘Rainmaker’ are expansive, texturally rich and wholly engrossing.
Presented with a visual that sees a studio session between a slew of familiar faces including Mac DeMarco and Cola Boyy unfold, Kirby explains
“The video is a dramatization of studio characters I’ve encountered over the years. The egomaniacal producer, the eager engineer, the snobby record exec, the random guy in the corner, the musicians feeling themselves. Visually I wanted to play with the chaos of jazz fashion in the 70’s/80’s: bands like Weather Report, and Miles Davis’ constantly rotating cast. Musicians dressed themselves with a strong sense of individuality while still achieving a cohesive look, a theme I also look to achieve musically on the album Septet.”
Hear ‘Rainmaker’ below.
Septet releases on June 25th via Stones Throw Records. Pre-order the album on CD and vinyl here.
Words by Sam Wilkinson.
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Fruit and Grooves Collective 