KingUnderground Jazz | Fusion 12 Items

New Robohands LP showcases the brilliant producer and multi-instrumentalist through his most thought out and compelling songwriting, yet.

Andy Baxter AKA Robohands displays a new level of sureness with an album that makes you never want to leave its world. The collection of tunes touches on the full range of emotions, at times it’s bold and upbeat and other times it feels somber and heartbroken. It’s tied together with a throughline that keeps you wondering where the trip is heading next.

It builds anticipation through patience and layers that show themselves over time, but its choices are direct and seem to know where they are going, while maintaining and presenting an adventurous spirit.

The multi-instrumentalist not only brought in new tones and textures for this record but there are also stand-out vocal performances on 2 of the tracks by singer, Aleh. Showing his ability to arrange with new elements at play.

KU to release a collection of 8, 45’s from the Cavendish Music catalogue. Paying homage to the genre of Library Music, furthering its exposure to a new generation of listeners.
Library Music experienced its heyday in the 60s and 70s, as thousands of instrumental tracks were produced by musicians and composers for the purpose of placements in Radio, Television, and Film. This rich piece of European music history would go on to inform genres to come and speak heavily to the Jazz, Funk, and Hip Hop communities of the future.
This was often a musician's first opportunity to become a composer, or what most would commonly know now as producer of music. These composers would work with a stable of musicians to record 100’s of tracks that would go into a publishing Library. The pieces of music were recorded quickly and deliberately. The composers, musicians, and engineers understood their role in the process, it was an act of discipline amongst all involved. Often the composer was given a brief on what the end goal was for the client. The specifics would include tempo to lock into, song ending time, ect.
Never before have these tracks from the Cavendish Music Library been pressed on 7” vinyl at 45RPM. In all there will be 8 individual 45s, licensed from Boosey & Hawkes & Cavendish Music Library. The collection includes compositions by Tony Kinsey, John Scott, Sam Fonteyn, Ray Davies, and more.

There’s a boldness to Library music. It's in the forward nature of where the drums sit in the mix and the percussive playing of the keys that gives you something to grab hold of, it feels grounded yet exciting. It’s music beamed in from a different galaxy!

While the first 2 volumes in the series pay homage to free and experimental jazz legends that have informed the lens of the Seattle, Washington-based band. Volume 3 steps into the R&B/Hip Hop world, as the band performs their fresh takes on 3 Frank Ocean tracks, from the ‘Endless’ album.

A Frank Ocean record that flew under the radar for some but didn’t miss with the High Pulp crew. The 3 arrangements are a homage and a thank you to Frank, who has had such a heavy impact on the band and the way they think about writing music. Mutual Attraction 3 challenged the band to think critically about these compositions and how they could deliver a similar sentiment that they were born out of, but also put it through the High Pulp lens.

Along with digging into a different genre of music and focusing on just one artist to pay tribute to for this volume in the series. MA 3 also has the band performing as their largest ensemble yet. A 15-piece band, including a 5-piece string section. Giving no limits to these reimagined versions of Frank Ocean tunes.

KingUnderground to release a collection of 8 45s from the Cavendish Music catalogue. Paying homage to the genre of Library Music, furthering its exposure to a new generation of listeners. Library Music experienced its heyday in the 60s and 70s, as thousands of instrumental tracks were produced by musicians and composers for the purpose of placements in Radio, Television, and Film. This rich piece of European music history would go on to inform genres to come and speak heavily to the Jazz, Funk, and Hip Hop communities of the future.

This was often a musician’s first opportunity to become a composer, or what most would commonly know now as a producer of music. These composers would work with a stable of musicians to record 100s tracks that would go into a publishing Library. The pieces of music were recorded quickly and deliberately. The composers, musicians, and engineers understood their role in the process, it was an act of discipline amongst all involved. Often the composer was given a brief on what the end goal was for the client. The specifics would include tempo to lock into, song ending time, etc. In the early days of Library Music, there were 3 major companies that acted as publishers. KPM, De Wolfe, and Boosey & Hawkes, which is now known as Cavendish Music. None of this music was made commercially available, so these companies were collecting vaults worth of material, later to be discovered as some of the most influential music for current producers across experimental, dance, house, hip hop, jazz and more. This influence has no doubt infected the KU catalogue of music, and is present in such records as the 2020 release from Robohands ‘Shapes’.

Never before have these tracks from the Cavendish Music Library been pressed on 7” vinyl at 45rpm. In all there will be 8 individual 45s, licensed from Boosey & Hawkes & Cavendish Music Library. The collection includes compositions by Tony Kinsey, John Scott, Sam Fonteyn, Ray Davies, and more.

One of the unique things about the genre of Library music is the way that it has stood the test of time. One factor is that Library music was made up of so many different genres, but a key contributor to the timelessness and the reason why so many current DJs and producers have found this important and inspiring to their work is that the music was made over several decades and often depicted to times sonically. There’s a boldness to Library music. It’s in the forward nature of where the drums sit in the mix and the percussive playing of the keys that gives you something to grab hold of, it feels grounded yet exciting. Its music beamed in from a different galaxy! The first 45, titled ‘Dramatic’ features tracks from both John Scott and Tony Kinsey. Titling was important to Library music because it needed to clearly represent the emotions being expressed through the music, so it was easy for television and film executives to find what they needed to complete their projects. John Scott wasted no time getting into the dramatics with the opening track “Milky Way”, it displays the importance of grabbing a listener from the top, as well as being concise clocking in at just 47 seconds. Scott was not only a master composer but also known for his work on the Saxophone, including playing on John Barry’s soundtrack for ‘Goldfinger’ in the James Bond series. The juxtaposition of Tony Kinsey’s composition on the record offers a dynamic not present in the two tracks from Scott. Kinsey is more patient in his approach to “Kaleidoscope” building the tension with multiple movements and highlighting several instruments. The way the keys and bass play off each other leaves just enough room for a guitar lick to sneak in as if it is hinting toward something.

KingUnderground to release a collection of 8 45s from the Cavendish Music catalogue. Paying homage to the genre of Library Music, furthering its exposure to a new generation of listeners. Library Music experienced its heyday in the 60s and 70s, as thousands of instrumental tracks were produced by musicians and composers for the purpose of placements in Radio, Television, and Film. This rich piece of European music history would go on to inform genres to come and speak heavily to the Jazz, Funk, and Hip Hop communities of the future.

This was often a musician’s first opportunity to become a composer, or what most would commonly know now as a producer of music. These composers would work with a stable of musicians to record 100s tracks that would go into a publishing Library. The pieces of music were recorded quickly and deliberately. The composers, musicians, and engineers understood their role in the process, it was an act of discipline amongst all involved. Often the composer was given a brief on what the end goal was for the client. The specifics would include tempo to lock into, song ending time, etc. In the early days of Library Music, there were 3 major companies that acted as publishers. KPM, De Wolfe, and Boosey & Hawkes, which is now known as Cavendish Music. None of this music was made commercially available, so these companies were collecting vaults worth of material, later to be discovered as some of the most influential music for current producers across experimental, dance, house, hip hop, jazz and more. This influence has no doubt infected the KU catalogue of music, and is present in such records as the 2020 release from Robohands ‘Shapes’.

Never before have these tracks from the Cavendish Music Library been pressed on 7” vinyl at 45rpm. In all there will be 8 individual 45s, licensed from Boosey & Hawkes & Cavendish Music Library. The collection includes compositions by Tony Kinsey, John Scott, Sam Fonteyn, Ray Davies, and more.

One of the unique things about the genre of Library music is the way that it has stood the test of time. One factor is that Library music was made up of so many different genres, but a key contributor to the timelessness and the reason why so many current DJs and producers have found this important and inspiring to their work is that the music was made over several decades and often depicted to times sonically. There’s a boldness to Library music. It’s in the forward nature of where the drums sit in the mix and the percussive playing of the keys that gives you something to grab hold of, it feels grounded yet exciting. Its music beamed in from a different galaxy! The second record in the Cavendish Music series is titled ‘Frantic’ and features 2 compositions by Sam Fonteyn. Frantic energy is no doubt present in the horns and percussion on the A-side of the 45 “One Way Trip (Warm)” but the high energy gives off a dancehall vibe, leaving you in a sweat as if you were in the club. Fonteyn was a key contributor to the Boosey & Hawkes Music Library. His output held a strong presence amongst other composers, there’s an “it” factor or a swagger to his productions. The compositions are timeless and feel hip in any era, especially on “One Way Trip (Cool)”. Which is appropriately titled, because it doesn’t get much cooler than the feel on this track!

The Other Mirror debut reflects the band's long-standing rapport together. It often feels like there is a conversation happening within the music between the old friends. Their unconventional approach to composing adds a familiar flavor to each track on their self-titled LP. We are proud to have Other Mirror making their debut on KingUnderground, we hope that you will consider doing a feature, premiere, or review on the album.

Originally released in 2018 as a small vinyl run. Now reissued as a Limited Edition remastered pressing on 2LP vinyl with an A4 insert on the label KingUnderground. High Pulp are an 8-piece band that emerged from the Royal Room, a legendary Seattle Jazz club where they held “Funk Church” jam sessions in 2017. Their signature sound is a Psychedelic fusion of Hip-Hop, Funk, Jazz, and Soul which come together with complex, well thought out arrangements and progressive style. After successful sessions and premieres with prestigious station Kexp, and being at the forefront of the Seattle music scene, they’re now ready to branch out and take their sound worldwide. Bad Juice kicks off with lush, soulful big band horns, as the triumphant and quite epic intro sets the tone for this truly unique multifaceted band. They really show off their skills in the first few minutes, showing off a range of styles from an up-tempo ska-like jam to a downtempo sleazy Jazz-Rock groove. Their high level of creativity and leftfield Cinematic Orchestra/Stereolab-esque arrangements meld perfectly with the inspiration of 60’s and 70’s Jazz, Soul, and Funk. It’s sprinkled with a new age touch in a concoction worthy of any lounge, Funk, or Dance DJ or discerning crate digger alike. “Bad Juice answers the new millennium’s post-trip-hop, ambient, drum & bass call - contemporary with vinyl sharp grooves, macramé arrangements, and session-level instrumentation. The form is asymmetric, but the effect is magic”. - Earshot Jazz “It’s hard to imagine throwing on this LP and feeling anything less than joy. From the pink flamingos on the cover to the buoyant, flashy grooves embedded in each song, Bad Juice is the soundtrack to your carefree, balmy summer nights.” - Kexp

‘Shapes,’ the third album from London-based multi-instrumentalist, Robohands, fuses elements of jazz, krautrock, hip hop and ambient music. For fans of Khruangbin, Yusef Dayes, CAN, Coltrane and 70s library music moods. Shapes is the solo project of London based composer, instrumentalist and producer Andy Baxter. His debut LP Green was released on Village Live Records in 2018 and was received with much love and acclaim in the UK Jazz, hip hop and surrounding scenes.

His follow up full-length, 'Dusk’, dropped in 2019, combining soul, funk, Latin & experimental moods. It featured vocalists & musicians from around the world including legendary New York French horn player, John Clark, who has worked with Isaac Hayes, Gil Evans Orchestra, McCoy Tyner, Jaco Pastorius, Ornette Coleman and many more greats.

'Shapes' is inspired by 1970s library music and their legendary composers including Piero Umiliani, David Axelrod, Brian Bennett and co. The album builds on these influences and incorporates modern motifs, contemporary jazz/hip hop drumming styles with a nod to 1990s Mo Wax artists such as DJ Shadow. The theme for the record is future/nostalgia, mixing vintage & modern instruments and production techniques.

Much of ‘Shapes’ was recorded with JB Pilon at Buffalo Studios in Limehouse, London. Due to the Covid restrictions that changed everything in 2020, the remaining parts were recorded in Andy’s flat using a collection of old mixing desk preamps and instruments.

For the heads – ‘Shapes’ features an array of vintage snares, including a 1960's Ludwig Pioneer and a mono, overhead ribbon mic on the drum kit provided extra old school points! The kick drum was re-amped through a huge vintage bass amplifier on a couple of tracks to give it some real character: “My favourite guitar sound achieved on this LP project is a Sontronics Sigma ribbon microphone in front of a WEM Dominator amp, which you can hear on the track 'Odysea'. The bass sound for all the tracks is a 1973 Fender Precision into an old Altec valve preamp, the one used on most Motown recordings."