Blue Eclipse

by Blue Lab Beats

Overview

U.K. jazztronica duo Blue Lab Beats issued Motherland Journey, their Blue Note debut, in April 2022. Despite already establishing a global fan base with their stage show, singles, mixes, and albums, Motherland Journey added a stylistic extension to their jazz-hop brand. Blue Eclipse follows two years of intense -- and eclectic -- activity by NK-OK and Mr DM; they issued no less than a dozen singles, including the charting "Gotta Go Fast" from the Royal Albert Hall stage with guests Jackson Mathod, JFAbraham, the Multi-Story Orchestra, and Xvngo. Blue Eclipse ups the creative ante. Opener "Never Doubt" commences with modal piano and ticking hi-hat cymbals before a fusion vibe glides in and transforms itself into nocturnal jazz-funk with junglist percussion, elegant guitars, and dimensional ambience. The single "Say Wow," a sexy party jam, melds a disco bassline, handclaps, percussion loops, sampled electric guitars, and vocals --rapped and sung -- by IDK, Jay Prince, and Nico Harris. The sophisticated neo-soul in "Rice & Peas" harkens back to the duo's formative years in London clubs with sensual, sweet vocals from Kyra assisted by Bnny Hunna and Aidan. "Cherry Blossom" is a tender instrumental groover led by flute and buoyed by Parthenope's layered strings, Ben Jones' elliptical guitars, hand percussion, and staggered loops. Single "Wait a While" melds vocals by soul singer songwriter Farah Audhali and Moonchild's Amber Navran. 'Sunset in L.A." adds jazzy funk to disco and hip-hop in a glorious instrumental interlude. It's followed by the junglist fusion of "Nights in Tokyo" with mixologist supreme Kaidi Tatham. The single "Take Time" melds Afrofuturist soul and funk with jazz harmony and hip-hop rhythms with a rap by Kojey Radical and R&B vocals by Daley. Star-studded instrumental single "Guava" weds jazz-funk, Nigerian-styled highlife, and South African township music. The women in the horn section -- Poppy Daniels on trumpet; Kokoroko trombonist Richie Seivwright, and saxophonist Camilla George are aided by the duo and Tatham's live mix. It gives way to the fluid guitar, horns, and keys-driven fusion of the warm title track. The closer, "Brother," features guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Natalie Lindi wedding soul, funk, pop, and contemporary jazz. The Blue Lab Beats weave in spidery beats, lush strings and ambience, jazz piano, and shadowy horns to send things off on a transcendent note. Blue Eclipse is fully realized, a 12-track, groove-intensive set that's so smooth and delicious it's a top candidate for the summer soundtrack of 2024. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2024
Label:	Decca Uk
UPC:	0602458943184

Tracks

1. Never Doubt
2. Say Wow
3. Rice & Peas
4. Cherry Blossom
5. Sky Paradise (Interlude)
6. Wait a While
7. Sunset in La
8. Nights in Tokyo
9. Take Time
10. Guava
11. Blue Eclipse
12. Brother

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Blue Lab Beats   Primary Artist
Daley   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Urban Soul Orchestra   Primary Artist,Strings,Orchestra,Featured Artist
Ben Jones   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Guitar,Featured Artist
Amber Navran   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Camilla George   Primary Artist,Sax (Alto),Featured Artist
IDK   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Jay Prince   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Kojey Radical   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Poppy Daniels   Primary Artist,Trumpet,Featured Artist
Natalie Lindi   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Kaidi Akinnibi   Primary Artist,Saxophone,Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano),Featured Artist
Bnnyhunna   Primary Artist,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass),Featured Artist
Grifton Forbes Amos   Primary Artist,Trumpet,Featured Artist
Parthenope   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Kyra   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Farah Audhali   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Nico Harris   Primary Artist,Keyboards,Featured Artist
Richie Seivwright   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Trombone
Dan Oates   Violin
Stephen Hussey   Viola,Violin,Strings
Ivan Hussey   Cello,Strings
Selection   Featured Artist
Kirsty Mangan   Viola,Violin,Strings
David Mrakpor   Keyboards,Bass (Electric),Guitar (Electric)
Nk-Ok   Drums,Percussion,Percussion (African)
Kyra Vidal   Featured Artist
Parthenope Wald-Harding   Flute
Mr DM   Bass,Guitar,Keyboards,Percussion,Guitar (Bass)
Daniel Oates   Violin,Strings
Aidan Osobase   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Rob Chiarelli   Mixing
Samba Mapangala   Composer
Benjamin Jones   Composer
Stephen Hussey   Arranger,Composer
Herb Powers   Mastering Engineer,Mastering
Daley   Composer
Ben Jones   Composer
Calin Enache   Vocal Producer
Amber Navran   Composer
Camilla George   Composer
Garrincha Leeuwaarde   Composer
IDK   Composer
David Mrakpor   Composer
Namali Kwaten   Composer
Jay Prince   Composer
Nk-Ok   Engineer,Recording,Sound Design,Drum Programming
Kojey Radical   Composer
Blue Lab Beats   Mixing,Producer
Poppy Daniels   Composer
Richie Seivwright   Composer
Natalie Lindi   Composer
Kaidi Akinnibi   Composer
Benjamin Ankomah   Composer
Kyra Vidal   Composer
Bnnyhunna   Composer,Producer
Parthenope Wald-Harding   Composer
Navire Argo   Cover Design
Daniel Oates   Arranger
Grifton Forbes Amos   Composer
Farah Audhali   Composer
Nico Harris   Composer,Producer
Aidan Osobase   Composer
Dalong Ye-Lee   Cover Photo