<p><span><span>- Melbourne label La Sape have just released an album from jazz band JK Group. Led by local saxophonist <strong>Josh Kelly</strong>, The Young Ones features his <strong>30/70</strong> bandmates <strong>Matt Hayes</strong> and <strong>Ziggy Zeitgeist</strong> with keys player/producer <strong>Lewis Moody</strong> (<strong>Z*F*E*X</strong>, <strong>Sex on Toast</strong>). The album is wonderfully cohesive, the group touching on different lineages of jazz and funk while sounding contemporary and providing some great tracks.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>It kicks off with the uptempo jazz funk of <em>Seeds</em>, setting the tone for the rest of the album. The propulsive groove leads into a great saxophone solo. At four minutes in it dips into disco territory for a passage (which I adore); along with the deft arrangements, drumming and saxophone extended groove sections. <em>Jazz Muggle</em> is more downtempo, with its sprawling, laidback groove (great piano on this one). The song <em>Nutha One</em>, which appeared on a La Sape compilation not too long ago, is another stellar track with dreamy polysynth stabs complimented with shuffling bass and drums. <em>Jazz Trip</em> is an absolutely massive tune, starting off with its stilted groove before launching into something totally satisfying. Particularly love the -even better- piano on the track. <em>Young One</em> is another eight-and-a-half minute jam, feeling more acoustic (somehow), evoking spiritual jazz of the '70s. Love the short instrumentals: the languid <em>Pender Street</em>, the spiritual spoken word of <em>Truth, Knowledge, Bliss</em>, and the ramblings of <em>Ciggie Chats</em>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The JK Group have made a strong statement in <em>The Young Ones</em>. Expanding upon classic jazz modes, Aussie nu-jazz by the likes of <strong>Direction In Groove</strong> and contemporary classics like <strong>Yussef Kamaal</strong>’s <em>Black Focus</em>, Josh Kelly has crafted a superb album full of exceptional musicianship and songs.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Hillfolk.</span></span></p>
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1883441984/size=large/bgcol=f…; seamless><a href="http://joshkelly.bandcamp.com/album/the-young-ones">The Young Ones by JK Group</a></iframe>