Premiere: Barrio 71 – Chip Wickham

Barrio 71 from UK flautist and sax player Chip Wickham is the new single paving the way towards Chip’s forthcoming album Shamal Wind, product of his latest globetrotting, spiritual jazz exhibitions, to be hosted on the special discos buenos of Lovemunk on May 4^th.

Chip’s breakout record in 2017 received a fanfare response across the UK & Europe picking up fans like Gilles Peterson, Jon More (Coldcut), Lefto, Gideon Coe, Chris Phillips (Jazz FM), and many of the UK’s jazz dance fraternity adding gallant praise. Barrio 71 sees the musician back to a high energy and absorbing intensity that was hallmark of his debut La Sombra. The cowbell acts as conductor, driving the track forward with sax, vibes, double bass and drums combining in a sprinting display of verve and virility. Featuring too is pianist Phil Wilkinson who lends some gloss to the track with an equally spirited keys solo midway.

The release of Barrio 71 reflects Chip’s continuing ascent into the jazz world guided by the winds of the Middle East. Connected ever more to a greater musical vision, fine tuned with the on-going influences derived from Chip’s many bases in Doha, Madrid & Brighton, the musician now sees those US jazz forebearers who have inspired so much of his music – the likes of Yusef Lateef and Sahib Shihab – in a fresh, new light. It informs a creative and life-guiding outlook that has been deeply affected by a recent recovery from throat cancer.

Download the track free on Hypeedit 

Chip Wickham was an early lynchpin of the jazz scene in Manchester in the ’90s playing and collaborating with Matthew Halsall and the likes of Nightmares on Wax, Badly Drawn Boy, and Grand Central Records. Despite Chip’s international meanderings, the Manchester connection still burns strong and Matthew Halsall guests on album track The Mirage. In 2017 Chip toured with both Matthew Halsall and Dwight Trible and his previous credits include Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band, The New Mastersounds, The Pharcyde, and Roy Ayers. He takes to the Camden Assembly in London to play with his funk quartet The Expansions on 13th June. You can book tickets here.

Lovemonk is the small but sunny and eclectic label from the Malasaña borough of Madrid. Their philosophy is reflected in their slogan, Discos Buenos. Lovemonk is seeking just that, good records for the good people out there. Thier artists cover a wide range of styles from the most club-oriented electronica to the prettiest folk, with everything in between, although the most common sounds of their catalogue have roots in soul, jazz and funk.

Pre-order Shamal Winds on vinyl and digital here.