Jiyu Totem Of Quiet Mystic

Jazz scenes are constantly evolving, and Copenhagen's Jiyu is fearlessly pushing the boundaries across various genres, from jazz-funk, bossa and Afro-Cuban to broken beats and experimental, ambient jazz.

On this new album, Jiyu presents a rich tapestry of phat analog synths, lush brass arrangements, psychedelic vibes, highlights of epic solo instrumental performances and a dense, organic jazz approach with drum grooves and percussion at its core.

Once again, the band's leader, guitarist, and producer, Emil Jonathan, collaborates with his long-time friend, Thomas Dietl, on drums. Their partnership on this new album, combined with the consistent percussive rhythms from another long-time friend and musical soulmate, Karl Bille, and conguero Rune Harder Olesen, adds an earthy, hand- played contrast to the more electronic rhythm tracks on the dreamy, mellow jazz, ambient, hip-hop, and attention-grabbing debut album, "Caught in the Rain at the Tea Shop," released in 2021.

This record seamlessly intertwines with Emil Jonathan's deep roots in jazz dub and soul, latin, tango-dub, dancehall and experimental hiphop, influenced by his past projects and collaborations with artists such as von Daler & Low Pressure, EMO, Natasja, Dj Vadim, Boozoo Bajou, and Les Gammas.

Emil Jonathan: Guitar, keys, melodica and bass / Thomas Dietl: Drums and percussion / Ken Linh Doky: Wurlitzer piano on A1 and B3 / Bo Rande: Flugelhorn and trumpet / Lukas Rande: Tenor sax and flute / Gustav Rasmussen: Trombone and flugabone / Karl Bille: Percussion on A2, B1, B3, B4 and flute on B4 / Rune Harder Olesen: Congas and Shakers on A1, A3, B1 and B2 Vocals on “Seven Faces of Naima” by Nina Bols Lundgren, Kinck, Jonas Rendbo, Rasmus Helner and Emil Jonathan. Vocals on “Propella Plain” by Karl Bille and Emil Jonathan. Final-mix assistance by Jonas Graverholt. Stem-mix master by Rune Zetterström. Layout by Louise Hold Sidenius.

Written, arranged, recorded, produced, and mixed by Emil Jonathan Søegaard at 12 Ton Studio, Copenhagen 2023, for Low Pressure Music & Dubsoul Records