joe armon jones: all the quiet (part I & II)
Francisco Espregueira
Joe Armon-Jones, the prolific keyboardist, producer, and songwriter, unveils one of his most elevated solo projects to date with All The Quiet, a galvanizing two-part project released on his own label, Aquarii Records. This ambitious double album, that will see its second part drop next friday, traverses a vibrant landscape of jazz, funk, dub, hip hop, and soul, entirely written, produced, and mixed by Armon-Jones himself. As a co-founder of the mighty Ezra Collective and a central figure in London's dynamic jazz scene, his unique style, which effortlessly blends diverse influences, shines through with remarkable clarity across both chapters of this highly anticipated release.
All The Quiet (Part I) sets the stage for this expansive journey, featuring standouts like the Afro-leaning drums and summery melodies of "Kingfisher (feat. Asheber)" with its life-affirming lyrics. The album then deepens with "Show Me," showcasing a darker, downtempo energy, before concluding the first part on a tender, introspective note with "Hurry Up & Wait." All The Quiet (Part II) continues this conceptual exploration, thrumming with jazz mastery and a rich tapestry of sounds. This second chapter further cements Armon-Jones and Aquarii's mission to blend genres and cross stylistic streams, from atmospheric electronica to dub, all while subverting tropes of apocalypse, prophecy, and redemption. With an impressive roster of guest musicians and features including Nubya Garcia, Oscar Jerome, Goya Gumbani, Greentea Peng, Yazmin Lacey, and Hak Baker, All The Quiet (Part I & II) is another great project from Joe Armon-Jones's expanding his musical vision and his continued discography evolution. Both Part I & Part II are available on vinyl.