Bristol quartet The Jazz Defenders return with soul jazz full-length ‘King Phoenix’

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Bristol quartet The Jazz Defenders return with soul jazz full-length ‘King Phoenix’

The outstanding Bristol quartet known as The Jazz Defenders build on the foundation of last year’s standout 7inch single The Big Man / Love’s Vestige with a superb soulful jazz full-length, titled King Phoenix on the UK-based Haggis Records.

Continuing in the same vein as their The Big Man / Love’s Vestige release, this standout 10-track recording (which also includes “Love’s Vestige”) brings together a solid mix of Latin rhythms, 50/60s era soul jazz grooves, cinematic textures, and 90s hip-hop influences that are all geared towards the dancefloor. The album is already seeing a lot of play from notable DJs Helen Mayhew (Jazz FM), Jamie Cullum (BBC Radio 2), Ashley Beedle (Worldwide FM), Colin Curtis (Worldwide FM), and others.

Led by one of the UK’s most formidable jazz pianists, George Cooper (who is also a member of Abstract Orchestra and The Haggis Horns), the group also features a fantastic cast of musicians that includes trumpeter Nicholas Malcolm, saxophonist Nick Dover, bassist Will Harris, and drummer Ian Matthews. The recording also features guest US-based rapper Herbal T (on “Live Slow”) and London MC/actor Doc Brown (on “Perfectly Imperfect”).

Overall, another impressive album from a group that has successfully been able to capture the classic soul-jazz sound and push the music forward. Highly recommended.