Johan Budi
The contemporary jazz landscape in the mid-2020s continues to demonstrate a profound diversification of style, geography, and conceptual depth, as evidenced by three significant new releases from Yelena Eckemoff, The Brass Funkeys, and Hannah Horton. These albums, recorded between August 2024 and August 2025, represent a cross-section of the modern genre, ranging from classically infused chamber jazz and high-energy brass ensemble work to lyrical, groove-based quartet performances. While each artist operates within a distinct sub-genre, they collectively highlight a trend toward narrative-driven composition and a reliance on geographical inspiration to shape musical identity.
Yelena Eckemoff and the Scandinavian Influence in Rosendals Garden
Yelena Eckemoff’s latest project, a double CD titled Rosendals Garden, serves as a complex exploration of the intersection between classical structure and improvisational jazz. Recorded at RMV Studio in Stockholm, Sweden, on August 28–29, 2024, the album is a direct reflection of Eckemoff’s travels throughout the Swedish landscape. The choice of RMV Studio is significant in the context of European music history; the facility is located on the island of Skeppsholmen and is known for its high-end analog capabilities, often associated with ABBA’s Benny Andersson.
Technical Composition and Personnel
The album features a trio consisting of Eckemoff on piano and keyboards, Svante Henryson on cello and double bass, and Morgan Ågren on drums and percussion. This lineup departs from the traditional piano-bass-drums trio by utilizing the cello as a primary melodic voice. Henryson, a musician with a background spanning classical orchestras and hard rock (most notably with Yngwie Malmsteen), provides a bridge between the rigid structures of Eckemoff’s compositions and the fluid requirements of jazz improvisation.
The structural integrity of the album is defined by what musicologists describe as "rhythmic dissonance." Eckemoff’s playing style is rooted in her Russian classical training, characterized by a precision that often contrasts with the "wayward" nature of the trio’s collective improvisation. In tracks such as "Öresund Bridge," the group establishes a six-minute groove that provides a stable foundation for Henryson’s bowed interventions. Conversely, "Ruins Of Älvsborg" incorporates electronic pulses, suggesting a move toward a more modern, atmospheric soundscape that borders on the avant-garde.
Chronology and Narrative Context
The production of Rosendals Garden followed a specific timeline of environmental immersion:
- Late Summer 2024: Eckemoff toured Sweden, visiting sites such as the ABBA Museum, Gamla Stan, and the Storanden Nature Reserve.
- August 28–29, 2024: The trio entered RMV Studio to translate these visual and emotional experiences into a 12-track double album.
- Late 2024/Early 2025: Post-production and release under the L & H Production label (LHCD 80615139).
The liner notes function as a travelogue, providing a factual basis for the compositions. This narrative approach allows the listener to track the geographical movement of the artist, from the urban settings of Stockholm to the historical ruins of Älvsborg and the quietude of the Rimbo sunrise.
The Brass Funkeys and the Evolution of the UK Brass Tradition
In May 2025, the London-based ensemble The Brass Funkeys recorded Blow Horn! at Fish Factory Studios in Willesden. This release marks a pivotal moment for the nine-piece group, which has become a staple of the UK’s vibrant brass scene. Unlike traditional British brass bands rooted in the 19th-century industrial north, The Brass Funkeys draw heavily from the New Orleans "Second Line" tradition, while integrating contemporary funk, soul, and world music influences.
Ensemble Dynamics and Structural Analysis
The group’s composition—three trumpets, two trombones, tenor saxophone, sousaphone, and two percussionists—allows for a dense, layered sound that emphasizes collective energy over individual virtuosity. The use of the sousaphone, played by John Caddick, is central to the album’s acoustic profile. In modern brass jazz, the sousaphone serves as the "engine," providing a percussive, funky bass line that allows the brass section to engage in complex cross-rhythms.
The album consists entirely of original compositions, a strategic move that distinguishes the band from many "trad" ensembles that rely on standards. Tracks such as "Genie In A Bottle" and "Spice Up Your Life" (not to be confused with pop covers) showcase the band’s ability to blend mariachi-style flourishes with rock-infused drumming by Harpal Mudhar. The recording process at Fish Factory Studios, known for its "raw" and "live" acoustic environment, was chosen specifically to capture the kinetic energy of a band that is primarily known for its live performances.
Market Position and Cultural Impact
The Brass Funkeys represent a democratization of jazz. Their music is designed for broad accessibility, moving away from the "elite connoisseur" model of jazz toward a community-focused, celebratory function. This is a direct continuation of the New Orleans tradition where music chronicles life events—births, marriages, and funerals. By focusing on original material in Blow Horn!, the band is asserting that the brass format is a viable medium for new compositional work, rather than just a vehicle for nostalgia.
Hannah Horton’s Stories On The Wind and the Baritone Saxophone
Recorded in August 2025 at Red Kite Studio in Carmarthenshire, Wales, Hannah Horton’s Stories On The Wind provides a masterclass in lyrical jazz quartet performance. Horton, performing on both tenor and baritone saxophone, is joined by Sam Leak (piano/organ), Rob Statham (electric bass), and Steve Taylor (drums).
Compositional Craft and Performance Style
Horton’s approach to the saxophone is characterized by a "warm and fluid" tonality, particularly on the baritone sax—an instrument often relegated to the background in jazz ensembles due to its size and weight. Horton, however, utilizes the baritone as a nimble melodic lead. On the track "Peace Speak," her soloing is described as "curling around the chord changes," demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of harmonic movement.
The album’s title, Stories On The Wind, refers to a series of personal and situational inspirations. However, from a technical standpoint, the "story" is told through the consistency of the groove. Unlike the unsettling transitions found in Eckemoff’s work, Horton’s compositions, such as "Out Of The Shadows" and "Chasing Daisies," maintain a deceptive simplicity. The rhythm section of Statham and Taylor provides a "perfectly aligned" foundation, allowing the melodic lines to remain effortless and eloquent.
Data and Recording Specifications
The technical data for the album highlights the importance of the recording environment:
- Location: Red Kite Studio is a boutique facility in rural Wales, favored for its isolation and natural acoustics, which likely contributed to the "relaxed eloquence" noted in the performances.
- Label: Released via Swinging Cat Records (SCRCD04).
- Track Length: The album runs 44 minutes and 42 seconds, a standard duration for a modern jazz LP, optimized for both digital streaming and physical media.
Comparative Analysis and Industry Implications
When examining these three releases together, several industry-wide trends emerge. First, there is a clear move toward "place-based" composition. Eckemoff’s Sweden, The Brass Funkeys’ London, and Horton’s Welsh-recorded narratives suggest that contemporary jazz is increasingly used as a tool for documenting specific environments and personal histories.
Timeline of Key Events (2024–2025)
- August 2024: Yelena Eckemoff records Rosendals Garden in Stockholm, focusing on Swedish landscapes.
- May 2025: The Brass Funkeys record Blow Horn! in London, emphasizing urban funk and community brass traditions.
- August 2025: Hannah Horton records Stories On The Wind in Wales, focusing on melodic baritone saxophone leads and quartet cohesion.
- Late 2025: All three projects enter the global jazz market, representing a surge in independent label activity.
Broader Impact on the Jazz Genre
The release of these albums indicates a healthy ecosystem for independent jazz labels like L & H Production and Swinging Cat Records. These entities are filling a gap left by major labels, which have largely moved away from mid-career jazz artists. Furthermore, the inclusion of instruments like the cello and sousaphone as lead voices suggests that the "standard" jazz instrumentation is being successfully challenged.
The reaction from the jazz community has been largely positive, with critics noting the "playful imagination" of Eckemoff and the "intelligent music" of Horton. While The Brass Funkeys are positioned as a "must-book" live act, their recorded work serves as a vital document of the UK’s evolving brass culture. Collectively, these three records offer a comprehensive look at the state of jazz in 2025: a genre that remains deeply respectful of its roots while aggressively pursuing new structural and emotional territories.
