uniri: infinite reflections
Francisco Espregueira
Fresh off the heels of Astigmatic Records, London-based outfit Uniri emerges with Infinite Reflections, a genre-bending record that merges the energy of hip-hop beats with the improvisational spirit of jazz. Inspired by the likes of J Dilla and the "new-beat" movement, the four-piece band led by Chiminyo (Cykada, Maisha) ditches traditional studio production for a collaborative approach with Amane Tsuganami (Jorja Smith, Maisha), Al Macsween (Nubya Garcia, Gary Bartz, Kefaya) and Luke Wynter (Nubyan Twist, Golden Mean), crafting a psychedelic journey through sound.
This debut album isn't your typical jazz record. Uniri throws out the rulebook, opting for a more unified compositional style that seamlessly blends warm synths with head-nodding beats, in which a very strong class of musicians all pitched in. Infinite Reflections is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary jazz, drawing on a global pool of influences rooted in many different genres and, above all, collaboration. Available on vinyl.
“Uniri translates as ‘one unified dream’ ”