joel holmes: into the abyss
Francisco Espregueira
Berlin has always been known for its electronic music scene, but over the past few years, the city has undergone a musical transformation, becoming a melting pot for all kinds of musicians and artists. Kryptox and its sister label, Toy Tonics, have emerged as key platforms for this new scene. One of the shining stars of this new movement is Joel Holmes, who has just released his album Into The Abyss on Kryptox. The album is a perfect reflection of the current musical moment in Berlin, blending jazz with electronic music and bringing in international talent such as flutist Tenderlonious from London.
Holmes is a former member of Carl Craig's synthesizer ensemble and keyboarder of (Grammy-nominated) cult band Roy Hargrove. His ability to bridge the gap between jazz and electronic music has made him one of the most exciting artists on the scene. Holmes worked with some of the most relevant jazz artists in recent years, including Curtis Fuller and Javon Jackson, before moving to Berlin to explore electronic music and releasing a couple of fantastic EP’s with Cody Currie. Into The Abyss reflects this journey, showcasing a diverse range of musical styles and influences. With so many special guests on the album together with Holmes’ infinite talent, it's no surprise that this will be a definitive record for the contemporary jazz fans. Available on vinyl, courtesy of Kryptox.
“This is the first time I recorded music through the lens of different landscapes and on two different continents reflecting the times of today’s music that is mirroring what is happening in our communities and world today. From dark colors to light, music is so diverse and I tried to reflect this in my album”