Following this past Spring’s fantastic 12″ tribute to the great Lonnie Liston Smith, and a number of superb releases for the Lovemonk label, saxophonist and flautist Chip Wickham, who divides his time between Spain, UK and the Middle-East, has released his debut full-length album on Matthew Halsall’s Manchester-based Gondwana Records, titled Cloud 10.

This incredible 8-track album is arguably Wickham’s greatest recording to date, fusing together a perfect mix of soulful spiritual jazz, modal hard-bop, and grooves aimed at the jazz dance floor.

The album was recorded at the legendary all analogue Estudios Brazil in Madrid, and features an impressive cast of musicians joining Wickham on this session, including pianist Phil Wilkinson, vibraphonist Ton Risco, bassist Sneaky and drummer Jon Scott (all veterans of previous albums) together with the amazing harpist Amanda Whiting and percussionist Jack McCarthy whom Chip met touring in the Gondwana Orchestra, and rising star Irish trumpeter Eoin Grace who also doubles on flugelhorn. During the week of recording, the musicians all stayed together at Chip’s house, resulting in a strong bond that is clearly evident on the record.

The album has already received well-deserved praise from notable DJs Gilles Peterson, Colin Curtis, Kev Beadle, and others, as well as quickly climbing the Juno Records Jazz Chart to #1 during it’s first week.

Over the last several years, Chip Wickham has been at the forefront of some of the best releases in jazz, and with Cloud 10, he has take his sound to new heights. Definitely one of the year’s best albums!

Chip Wickham — ‘Cloud 10’
(Gondwana Records)

1. Cloud 10
2. Stratospheric
3. Lower East Side
4. Winter
5. Tubby Chaser
6. Dark Eyes
7. The Hit
8. Before I Go

BUY RECORDS

• Cosmic
• Jazz
• Spiritual Jazz