Ambient Jazz Ensemble's Aura
Mojo Magazine "a life-affirming marriage of deep soul, early Weather Report and David Axelrod"
Listen to Ambient Jazz Ensemble ‘Aura’
Ambient Jazz Ensemble (AJE) originated as composer, writer and producer Colin Baldry’s
passion project as a stalwart on Here & Now Recordings.
With a highly accomplished career in music - writing and producing for iconic labels like RCA, Geffen, Motown, Virgin & Capitol Records, whilst arranging and conducting The BBC Concert Orchestra and The City Of Prague Philharmonic, Baldry’s expansive experience has in result meant a bigger approach to ideas. With access to working with world-class orchestras, he has been able to create large-scale epic arrangements, which has no doubt furthered his talent for emotive, cinematic compositions. For example, his previous release ‘Breathe It In’, inspired by the film 'Into The Wild' was based on the true story of Christopher McCandless and his quest to live life off the grid.
Often described as ‘storytelling', Baldry himself regards AJE’s musical output as the painting of a scene not unlike the role of a film score. His new album, ‘Aura’ unfolds on a track by track basis rather than as an album concept, where the pieces individually grow as stories do. “The individual tracks generally depict personal thoughts and experiences,” he says. “But my premise was always to write music that is uplifting; I see it as a mood of hope over adversity... The title track ‘Aura' was the first fully formed demo in late 2017, I think it’s one of the best pieces I've ever written. It therefore set a template for the rest of the album in terms of approach, instrumentation and vibe, and set the bar with its intensity and optimism.”
For the lead single, ‘Break The Night With Silence’, he explores the idea of 'true silence’. Although we associate the night as a quiet time, it is in fact full of ambient noise, or ringing ears and buzzing minds. “The title plays with the idea that sudden total silence can be as dramatic as the loudest blast of noise. Musically, it isn't literal but approached the other way round; a calm chord progression with hypnotic lamellophones, Rhodes and breathy saxes - interrupted by a sudden euphoric burst of spiritual African vocals, drums & uplifting horns. The chant, translates as ‘Hallelujah’.” He explains.
‘Aura’ features an array of intertwining ambient textures, from harp, Fender Rhodes, bass clarinet, and various ethnic metallophones and strings together with electronica. “Nowadays I’m in my comfort zone when working with musicians, be it large or small ensembles, & whether scoring parts or improvising. It’s all about communication & creating an environment where players are free to do their thing,” explains Baldry.
Although Ambient Jazz Ensemble’s brand of cinematic jazz perhaps lies somewhere between nu-jazz & ambient electronica, the live ensemble sound retains an experimental approach as a melting pot, and so continues to be on the fringes of several musical styles championed by the likes of Hospital Records and Cafe Del Mar. His influences stem from old soul records with a cinematic approach: Marvin Gaye’s Trouble Man, Marlena Shaw’s California Soul, Curtis Mayfield, Minnie Ripperton, Bacharach recordings - ‘a broad palette of sounds utilising strings, brass, wind & rhythm section’; as well as early Weather Report records and genre-defying Jaga Jazzist.
