Northern Californian composer\/pianist Telemakus’ long awaited LP \u2018The New Heritage\u2019 has finally arrived, and with it the artist takes a step into a new artistic beginning. Telemakus\u2019 work has stemmed to highly creative composition and arrangement, generating a spirited album tackling the themes of exploration, wonder, and innocence. This album\u2019s foundation lies at the intersection of jazz and hip hop, playing into the heritage of jazz-sampling artists who turned their hands to instruments, and discovered new musical dimensions and complexities. Fruiting from the year-long COVID-19 lockdown, the album was created virtually with musicians from 11 countries, with a focus on maintaining a live sound while exploring ideas the producer normally wouldn\u2019t have considered.<\/p>\n
\u2018The New Heritage\u2019 represents Telemakus\u2019 lineage growing up in the jazz scene, gigging locally in the Bay Area. Being a self-taught pianist, the artist has a unique gift for harmony which evidently translates into the LP\u2019s tracks as a continuous flow of inspiration. Having found his own sound listening to the likes of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, DJ Harrison, and Robert Glasper, Telemakus\u2019 has developed a deeply personal style, as he likes to define it, \u201coff-kilter and unique\u201d.<\/p>\n
Having written all the album\u2019s instrumental parts, Telemakus joins forces with a host of incredible musicians to paint a series of stunning soundscapes. \u2018Mars Blues\u2019 (Released on 21st July) is the first single lifted from the LP witnessing the contribution of Chino Corval\u00e1n, Ted Taforo and Corydrums. This track documents the strong connection developed between the musicians, who the producer sees as \u201cincredible people who sometimes mentored me and taught me a lot about how my music can sound\u201d. The track explores an expressive sci-fi-esque sound palette, referencing Telemakus\u2019 fascination for outer space and astronomy.<\/p>\n
\u201cStoplight\u201d, the second single from \u201cThe New Heritage\u201d, showcases the artist’s more experimental side. Fusing mixed metered drum patterns with angular chord stabs, the track is a continuous journey where the melody continues throughout, but the repetition contrasts the improvisations throughout the song cyclically. Telemakus composed the track alongside producer & drummer bastrd, writing an arrangement that feels fresh and unique. After a childhood of listening to Dilla, Madlib, Glasper, and the modern hip hop\/jazz greats, then starting his musical journey writing beats with an MPC, Telemakus seeks to further expand that off kilter beat focused sound by pairing it with the virtuosic sounds of the jazz funk greats like George Duke and Herbie Hancock. Fans of modern, beat focused jazz of artists like Kiefer, Rob Araujo and Anomalie will also find something they identify with in this track. Stoplight showcases Telemakus\u2019s versatility as a producer and artist.<\/p>\n
All compositions and arrangements by Telemakus<\/p>\n
Telemakus – Piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Synths, Synth Bass, Clavinet, Drum Production and Programming<\/p>\n
FEATURING:<\/p>\n
Chino Corval\u00e1n – Bass (3,4,6,14), Composition\/Vocals (14)
\nMarcelo Soler – Drums (2)
\nKosie – Alto Sax (6)
\nJavier Santiago – Trumpet\/Additional Composition\/Arrangement\/Piano\/Rhodes (7)
\nCARRTOONS – Bass (5,12)
\nDavid James – Drums (5,6,11)
\nAlissa Johnson – Drums (10)
\nPh\u00f8n – Trumpet (5,7), Additional Arrangement (7)
\nTed Taforo – Tenor Sax (4,5,12), Composition\/Arrangement (5)
\nTamuz – Drums (5,7,12)
\nCorydrums – Drums (4)
\nbastrd – Drum Programming (8)
\n10.4 ROG – Additional Drum Programming (5)
\nTane – Guitar\/Bass\/Composition (2)
\nGavin Grant – Vocals (5)
\nJoey Garcia – Guitar\/Composition (13)
\nThomas Pridgen – Drums (13)<\/p>\n
Artwork by Dohee Kwon (@kimchisuperpower)
\nMastering by sterilone at STAUB
\nPublished, manufactured and distributed by Urban Waves<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Awaken – Intro<\/a><\/p>\n You Ready (feat. Marcelo Soler, Tane)<\/a><\/p>\n Jacochi (Phrases) (feat. Chino Corval\u00e1n)<\/a><\/p>\n Mars Blues (feat. Chino Corval\u00e1n, Ted Taforo, Corydrums)<\/a><\/p>\n All of This (feat. Ted Taforo, CARRTOONS, Tamuz, David James, Ph\u00f8n, Gavin Grant)<\/a><\/p>\n The New Heritage (feat. Kosie, Chino Corval\u00e1n, David James)<\/a><\/p>\n City Dreams (feat. Ph\u00f8n, Javier Santiago, Tamuz)<\/a><\/p>\n Stoplight (feat. bastrd)<\/a><\/p>\n Spirit C (Interlude)<\/a><\/p>\n Awaken – Sunrise (feat. Alissa Johnson, Chino Corval\u00e1n)<\/a><\/p>\n Moondrive<\/a><\/p>\n You Ready Reprise (feat. CARRTOONS, David James, Ted Taforo)<\/a><\/p>\n