September 2024 sees the release of Ishmael Ensemble’s third longplayer ‘Rituals’, which marks a significant leap for the Bristolian musicians. With their live-instrumentation-meets-electronic merging of styles, their scope and boundary-pushing ambition is more evident.
Still maintaining a blend of spiritual jazz, dub, experimental and electronic soundscapes, here those elements are vigorously whipped-up in its euphonic blend of colours, textures, facets and moods.
Formed in 2017 by producer and saxophonist Pete Cunningham, their debut LP ‘A State Of Flow’ was Contemporary Album Of The Month in The Guardian and gained radio plays from UK tastemakers Gilles Peterson, Tom Ravenscroft and Mary Anne Hobbs. However it was their 2021 album ‘Visions of Light’ that saw the group reach wider acclaim – receiving glowing reviews in The Observer and Mojo, and the accolade of Huey Morgan’s Album Of The Year on BBC 6 Music. This was followed by a solid 3 year run of international touring including shows in Mexico and the US, as well as multiple sold-out tours in the UK and EU.
‘Rituals’ opens with Cunningham and Holysseus Fly’s soulful verses on ‘C’mon’ atop a tense backdrop of haunting drones and bubbling synths, before erupting into a wall of sub bass, post rock guitars and powerful strings, blowing the doors wide open for what’s to come. Holysseus goes on to deliver empowered calls of self-belief and strength in adversity on ‘Blinded’ and ‘Ezekiel’, as Cunningham flexes his electronic production skills, demonstrating his love for UK soundsystem culture.
With UK and EU tours set for October / November 2024 and sights set on wider international touring and festivals in 2025, ‘Rituals’ sees Ishmael Ensemble embrace everything they’ve achieved so far with outward facing optimism for the future.
Listen to “Rituals” here
Press release courtesy of Only Good Stuff
