Atjazz presents a modern day jazz-funk masterpiece from JD37's Electrio

Unbelievably, the eight unfathomably tight tracks on ‘Pyramid’ were recorded live!

It's fair to say The Atjazz Record company are more than a little excited about their forthcoming release. Coming off the back of last year's inspired 'Producer's Choice' collection of works from The Rah Band, Martin 'Atjazz' Iveson continues his quest to enrich the world through the awesome power of UK jazz-funk. This time he shines a richly-deserved light on the work of British jazzers, JD37's Electrio.

The three-piece band was established in Leeds back in 2012 and is formed of Dan ‘JD73’ Goldman on Keys, Hamlet Luton on Bass and Gordon Kilroy on Drums. Between them, the players have worked with an almost endless list of funk, soul and electronic luminaries, including Nightmares On Wax, Morcheeba, Peven Everett, Tito Jackson, Leon Ware, Nate James, Pee Wee Ellis, Natasha Watts, Eddie Roberts and The Haggis Horns, among many other. Performing as a trio, they've also supported artists including Alice Russell, Cymande and José James at venues and nights including Ronnie Scotts, Jazz Re:freshed and Manchester, Gateshead, Cambridge and London Jazz festivals. Their adventurous compositions are heavily influenced by legendary funk-fusion artists of the '70s, such as Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters, Bob James, George Duke, Patrice Rushen, Jeff Lorber, Brian Auger and Chick Corea. While these influences are clearly audible, JD37's Electrio are not bound by their affinity to the past masters and combine to create a recognisable and cosmically-charged sound of their own.

Atjazz was understandably purring when he spoke to us about the imminent release, “Pyramid is the closest sounding album I have found to the original music of Herbie Hancock, Patrice Rushen, Chick Corea etcetera that swooned me into the world of jazz-funk first time around”, he told Cosmic Tiger. “It is an incredible set of songs, and to be recorded live! Well, I still can’t wrap my head around how talented these guys are. I’m very honoured to represent such golden musical output.”

In truth, it's not easy for me to even begin to summarise the quality of musicianship in words, let alone offer any kind of critical review. The virtuosity of the band members, substance of the arrangements and overall musicality on display go far and beyond my limited skill level, and as such all I can really do is sit back and admire the exquisite sounds and intricate refrains as they emanate from my grateful speakers. Certainly, this collection is likely to amount to a buy-on-sight release for seasoned jazz and funk aficionados, but I suspect the album's appeal won't be limited to disciples of these forms. Despite the complexity of the music, there is a universal appeal in the sound. Any genuine music lovers are bound to take pleasure in hearing musicians of this calibre jamming out their vibrations while locked into their mesmerising groove. We've opted to play you an excerpt from the space-age stylings of 'Swing Till It Hurts', but we highly recommend you make a point of listening to the entire album link below. Genuinely breathtaking work.

JD37’s Electrio ‘Pyramid’ is out January 26 on Atjazz Record Company. You can pre-order it here