telemakus: the new heritage
Francisco Espregueira
Following a string of tasty releases via Inner Ocean Records, Northern Californian composer/pianist Telemakus delivers his long awaited LP, The New Heritage, via the german imprint Radio Juicy. Marking a new artistic beginning, The New Heritage delves into the intersection of jazz and hip hop, conserving ideas from the heritage of jazz-sampling artists who turned their hands to instruments, and discovered new musical dimensions and complexities. This is a special work from Telemakus, who wrote all the album’s instrumental parts and joined forces with a host of incredible musicians to paint a series of stunning soundscapes.
Created virtually with artists from 11 different countries, during the the year-long COVID-19 lockdown, The New Heritage is able to showcase a clear live sound, while exploring ideas the producer normally wouldn’t have considered. The unconventional explorations of all the participants, makes this album an absolute delight for our ears. Every corner of it unpredictable, sounding improvised and absolutely free of normal constrictions. We can hear influences of great jazz artists, like Herbie Hancock, from new genre kings, like Kiefer… we can find Dilla, Madlib, Robert Glasper… the new jazz that hails from London… but Telemakus’ new record is absolutely unique, subverting what we know and leaving us with a sense that it’s one of the essential albums of 2021. Time will tell. Nonethless The New Heritage is a high-karat gold piece of work. Available on vinyl, via Radio Juicy.