joshua moshe: art don't lie
Francisco Espregueira
Award-winning Melbourne saxophonist and composer Joshua Moshe is stepping into a bold new era. After retiring his celebrated JK Group project, he is fully embracing his new paths of musical expression. The South African-born artist just announced his second completely independent, self-released project, following Inner Search (2023). Art Don't Lie is a deeply personal record beautifully explores his heritage, tackling themes of migration, tradition, and lineage. Sonically, it is a mesmerizing collision of worlds. The genre-blending album effortlessly weaves traditional Jewish folk melodies together with the heavy groove of contemporary jazz. By fusing acoustic instrumentation with lush electronic textures, he crafts an expansive, forward-thinking soundscape that feels both ancient and futuristic.
To bring this ambitious vision to life, Moshe assembled an eight-piece powerhouse ensemble. The core group originally hit the studio in early 2023, slowly expanding the music through ongoing sessions over the following year. UK/NZ drummer Myele Manzanza provides a massive backbone, driving the record with deep rhythmic elasticity. Meanwhile, longtime collaborator Lewis Moody handles the production and mixing, masterfully shaping the album's sonic architecture. Spanning eight cinematic tracks—including two digital-only pieces—Art Don't Lie leaves plenty of breathing room for each musician to stretch out and improvise. You will hear soaring saxophone lines and traditional oud blending perfectly with layered sound design and analog synthesis. Ultimately, it is a rhythm-driven triumph that invites listeners into a truly unique, borderless musical conversation. Available on vinyl, CD & digital.