Johan Budi
The global jazz landscape in the mid-2020s continues to be defined by a tension between traditional foundations and experimental horizons, a trend exemplified by the latest offerings from Ellas Kapell, Mammal Hands, and Jon Irabagon. These three releases, though distinct in their geographic origins and stylistic leanings, represent a broader movement toward genre-fluidity and the incorporation of multi-sensory influences into the improvisational framework. From the minimalist vocal interpretations emerging from Stockholm to the cinematic, rhythmic structures of the UK scene and the avant-garde, art-inspired compositions of the United States, these works provide a snapshot of a genre that remains as vibrant as it is difficult to categorize. As the industry navigates a post-streaming era where physical media and digital presence must coexist, these artists demonstrate how technical mastery and conceptual depth are being used to maintain the relevance of jazz for a contemporary audience.
Ellas Kapell and the Refinement of the Nordic Vocal Tradition
Formed in 2016, the Swedish quartet Ellas Kapell has spent nearly a decade establishing a reputation for a sound that is both accessible and sophisticated. Their latest release, Ember, marks a significant milestone in their discography, showcasing a deliberate effort to broaden their sonic palette beyond the standard quartet format. While their previous work often focused on the core interaction between voice, piano, bass, and drums, Ember introduces a more "lush landscape" through the inclusion of guest instrumentalists and a wider array of textures.
At the center of this evolution is vocalist Lovisa Jennervall, whose performance on the album has been characterized as both elegant and disarming. Her approach to vocal jazz eschews the over-dramatization often found in contemporary pop-jazz crossovers, opting instead for a "laidback" delivery that allows her to weave seamlessly into the instrumental layers. This technique is particularly evident on tracks like "I Didn’t Know What Time It Was" and "The Very Thought of You," where Jennervall maintains a lightness that ensures the vocals never crowd the ensemble. The influence of singers like Stacey Kent is apparent in the conscientious balance achieved between the singer and the backing musicians, a feat that requires a high degree of collaborative maturity.
The album is notable for its brevity, clocking in at approximately 32 minutes. In an era where many jazz releases lean toward sprawling double-disc formats, Ember’s concise nature highlights a "less is more" philosophy. The material consists primarily of covers of familiar jazz standards, yet the group succeeds in updating these older pieces through minimalist arrangements. For example, their rendition of "I Fall in Love Too Easily" ventures into a "spacey, indie direction," proving that traditional standards can still serve as a foundation for modern experimentation. The recording, captured during the summer and autumn of 2025 in Sweden, reflects a group that has moved beyond the "emerging artist" phase into a period of seasoned collaboration.
Timeline of Production: Ellas Kapell
- 2016: Formation of the quartet in Stockholm, Sweden.
- 2021: Release of their previous project featuring a minimalist "Cheek to Cheek."
- Summer/Autumn 2025: Principal recording sessions for Ember.
- Late 2025: Official release via Naxos Prophone.
Mammal Hands and the New Wave of UK Cinematic Jazz
While Ellas Kapell explores the intimacy of the vocal standard, the UK-based trio Mammal Hands continues to push the boundaries of instrumental jazz with their latest project, Circadia. Since their emergence in the mid-2010s, Mammal Hands has been a staple of the British jazz scene, often associated with the "Manchester sound" popularized by labels like Gondwana and ACT. However, Circadia represents a pivotal shift for the group following the addition of drummer Rob Turner, formerly of the acclaimed trio GoGo Penguin.
The inclusion of Turner has introduced a new dynamic to the established partnership of pianist Nick Smart and saxophonist Jordan Smart. Turner’s style, known for its precision and propulsion, supports the interweaving lines of the piano and saxophone while adding a layer of rhythmic complexity that was less pronounced in earlier iterations of the band. According to Jordan Smart, the focus for this album was on "improvisation, intensity in the moment and ensuring the whole band moved together dynamically." This collective movement is essential to the "cinematic feel" that permeates tracks like "Helios" and "Four Flowers."
Circadia was recorded over a five-day period in March 2025 at Giant Wafer Studios in Wales. The choice of location and the short recording window emphasize the group’s desire for an organic, live-in-the-room energy. Unlike some of their contemporaries who lean into post-bop aggression, Mammal Hands utilizes space and reverb to create an atmosphere that is often compared to the work of Kamasi Washington, though with a more restrained, European sensibility. Tracks such as "Fallow Tide" encapsulate this approach, offering a rhythmic yet ruminating experience that serves as a bridge between the more hectic sections of the album. The project reinforces Mammal Hands’ position alongside artists like Fergus McCreadie and Matthew Halsall as leaders of a movement that prioritizes mood and texture over traditional swing.
Technical Specifications: Circadia
- Recording Date: March 20-24, 2025.
- Location: Giant Wafer Studios, Wales.
- Personnel: Nick Smart (p), Jordan Smart (s), Rob Turner (d).
- Label: ACT Music.
- Total Runtime: 49 minutes, 49 seconds.
Jon Irabagon and the Intersection of Music and Optical Art
In the United States, Chicago-based saxophonist Jon Irabagon has taken a more conceptual approach with his quartet’s new release, Focus Out. Irabagon, a winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, has long been known for his technical virtuosity and his willingness to engage with diverse influences. Focus Out is no exception, drawing inspiration from two disparate sources: Irabagon’s recent experience with fatherhood and the "optical art" of Japanese professor Akiyoshi Kitaoka.
Kitaoka is renowned for his work on peripheral drift illusions—visual images that appear to move even though they are static. Irabagon attempts to translate this brain-scrambling visual phenomenon into sound through "hectic, squirming" compositions that challenge the listener’s perception of rhythm and melody. The opening track, "Morning Star," utilizes the Fender Rhodes and alto saxophone to create a sense of graceful fluidity that is simultaneously disorienting. Irabagon’s playing is described as sliding across the sonic space, grounded by a rhythm section featuring Chris Lightcap on electric bass and Dan Weiss on drums.
One of the more polarizing aspects of Focus Out is the inclusion of guest vocalist Kokayi on tracks like "Paper Planes." The "talk-singing" style of the vocalist adds a layer of contemporary grit that aligns with the "scrambled" nature of the instrumentation, though it represents a departure from the purely instrumental focus of Irabagon’s previous work. Despite the intensity of tracks like "Evening Star," the album finds balance in more meditative moments, such as "Prayer (for Reomi)," a composition dedicated to his child. These contemplative tracks provide a necessary reprieve from what critics have described as the "running, running, running" pace of the record.
Key Personnel and Contributors: Focus Out
- Jon Irabagon: Alto Saxophone, Composer.
- Matt Mitchell: Piano, Fender Rhodes.
- Chris Lightcap: Electric Bass.
- Dan Weiss: Drums.
- Featured Guests: Kokayi (vocals), Dave Ballou (trumpet), Miles Okazaki (guitar), Donny McCaslin (tenor sax), Mark Shim (tenor sax).
- Recording Date: April 30, 2024, at Big Orange Sheep, Brooklyn.
Comparative Analysis and Market Implications
The release of these three albums highlights several key trends in the current jazz market. First is the increasing internationalization of the genre. While the United States remains a primary hub, the innovative work being done by Ellas Kapell in Sweden and Mammal Hands in the UK suggests that the center of gravity for "contemporary" jazz is becoming more decentralized. European labels like Naxos Prophone and ACT Music are playing a crucial role in providing a platform for artists who prioritize atmospheric and cinematic qualities over traditional American bebop structures.
Secondly, the varying lengths and formats of these albums reflect a changing approach to music consumption. Ellas Kapell’s 32-minute Ember is optimized for the streaming era, where shorter, more focused "mood-based" albums often perform better on curated playlists. In contrast, Mammal Hands and Jon Irabagon continue to release longer-form works (near the 50-minute mark) that cater to a listener base that values the "album as a journey" experience.
Finally, the reception of these works suggests a growing appetite for "cross-disciplinary" jazz. Whether it is Irabagon’s engagement with visual psychology or Mammal Hands’ cinematic ambitions, modern jazz is increasingly looking outside of itself for inspiration. This intellectualization of the genre helps to distinguish it from other forms of contemporary music, positioning jazz not just as a style of performance, but as a sophisticated medium for exploring complex personal and scientific themes.
Summary of Discography and Credits
Ember – Ellas Kapell
- Tracklist: Very Early; I Didn’t Know What Time It Was; All The Things You Are; I Cover The Waterfront; How Deep Is The Ocean; The Very Thought Of You; Don’t Explain; I Fall In Love Too Easily.
- Personnel: Lovisa Jennervall (v); Manne Skafvenstedt (p, syn); August Eriksson (b, elb, vn); Edvin Glänte (d, pc); Johan Christoffersson (as); Tobias Wiklund (c); Gustav Alte (pedal steel).
- Label: Naxos Prophone.
Circadia – Mammal Hands
- Tracklist: Windows To Your World; Helios; Alia’s Abandon; Paper Boats; Fallow Tide; Forgotten Friend; A Thread In The Dark; Four Flowers; Submerge.
- Personnel: Nick Smart (p); Jordan Smart (s); Rob Turner (d).
- Label: ACT Music.
Focus Out – Jon Irabagon
- Tracklist: Morning Star; Focus Out; Paper Planes; Evening Star; Indigo Stains; Prayer (for Reomi); Center Post.
- Personnel: Jon Irabagon (as); Matt Mitchell (p, Rhodes); Chris Lightcap (elb); Dan Weiss (d); Kokayi (v); Dave Ballou (t); Miles Okazaki (g); Donny McCaslin (ts); Mark Shim (ts).
- Label: Irabbagast Records.
The trajectory of these three artists suggests a robust future for jazz. By embracing new technology, collaborating across borders, and drawing from the depths of human experience and scientific inquiry, Ellas Kapell, Mammal Hands, and Jon Irabagon are ensuring that the "embers" of the jazz tradition continue to glow with a modern, vibrant light. As the 2025 season progresses, these releases will likely stand as benchmarks for the technical and emotional possibilities of the genre.
