About

A future classic from two rising stars of the LA jazz/electronic scene. "Music for Saxofone & Bass Guitar" was originally self-released as a limited white label in 2018 and has only just recently seen a wider release (500 copies) on beloved LA electronic label Leaving Records, a sub-label of the legendary Stones Throw. The music here is loose and improvised with each musician employing a range of pedals and electronics to push the boundaries of their instruments and lift their combined textures to astral dimensions. Recommended for fans of Kamasi Washington, Brainfeeder, Harold Budd, Jon Hassell, etc.

The group blurs the line between jazz duo and electronic-production team, providing listeners with not many notes but plenty of vibes. “Music for Saxofone & Bass Guitar,” has a cover that looks, accurately, like the result of a quick session on Microsoft Word. The sound is echoey, sometimes chattery, reflecting the circumstances of the album’s production: the seven tracks are excerpts from a series of ad-hoc performances at two Los Angeles restaurants, one in Laurel Canyon and one on Sunset Boulevard, in Silver Lake. One of the few people to attend those L.A. performances was Matthew McQueen, the proprietor of a free-form local label called Leaving Records (its slogan is “All genre”), who encouraged the duo to put together an album. When McQueen first heard “Music for Saxofone & Bass Guitar,” he didn’t know it would become one of his label’s most popular releases, but he had a feeling it could draw in a wide range of listeners. “I mean, it’s a jazz record,” he said. “But it’s got this other quality to it that makes it more accessible. It’s not a pop-jazz record, but there’s other stuff going on.”

He said that “BOA,” with its relaxed pace and leisurely playing, reminded him of “easy listening” music. A hip-hop-producer friend of his was enthusiastic, and McQueen posted the album on streaming services and issued a limited edition ofthree hundred cassette tapes, a format he likes because it encourages continuous listening. (Older people may remember, fondly or not, how difficult it is to skip around on a cassette tape.) The tapes sold out, followed by a second pressing, then a third, and then a vinyl edition. — (via The New York Times)

Limited to 500 copies, the VMP exclusive versions is pressed on Beige vinyl at GZ Vinyl. The 1LP will arrive in a single, tip-on, foil-stamped and numbered jacket. It was mastered by Matthew "Matthewdavid" McQueen at All Genre HQ.

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Label: Leaving Records
Series: Vinyl Me, Please. Exclusive Pressing
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Club Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Beige
Country: US
Reissued: 2023 / Original Release: Jun 15, 2018
Genre: Electronic, Jazz
Style: Abstract, Easy Listening, Experimental, Future Jazz
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File under: Modern / Future Jazz