Underground Canopy (Menace)

WHAT THE COVER LOOKS LIKE:

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WHAT WE SAY:

Jazz & hip hop in perfect harmony as the Paris based Underground Canopy crew craft a cultured, laid back, instrumental fusion suite for MENACE. One for the head nodders & late night loungers.

WHAT YOUR EARS SAY:

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WHAT THE RELEASE NOTES SAY:

Emerging from endless improvisation sessions and re-interpreting their heroes, Paris-based band Underground Canopy presents their first body of original work via MENACE : “Bluestaeb & S. Fidelity present Underground Canopy” drops on January 31st, 2020. 
The debut EP was produced, recorded and mixed by critically acclaimed Jakarta Records artists Bluestaeb and S. Fidelity in London. The five-piece band’s neo soul- and jazz-infused instrumental hip-hop is heavily influenced by like minded acts such as Yesterday’s New Quintet, BadBadNotGood and Butcher Brown.

Underground Canopy officially formed in 2016 after jamming and playing covers of Flying Lotus, Madlib and J. Dilla for several years. Band members Jonathan Aréna (Keys), Warren Dongué (Bass), Necky Gomis (Trumpet/Flugelhorn), Alfredo Grooveton (Drums) and Jeremy Talon (Guitar) members met in the south of France during their 20s and immediately connected over their shared passion for hip-hop and instrumental music. The approach to compositions was always to transform the vibe of jazzy hip-hop into hand made live music. They’ve played dozen of shows throughout France, including support slots for Alan Mion’s legendary jazz funk outfit Cortex and rising Japanese jazz band WONK.

Through MENACE label founder Midori (Menace) the band met Bluestaeb, who moved from his hometown Berlin to Paris in 2015, and his long time collaborator S. Fidelity, who is still based in the German capital. Both featured UC pianist Jonathan Aréna on their previous records and collaborated with guitarist Jeremy Talon. The two producers, who are signed to German tastemaker label Jakarta Records, recognized the raw creative potential of Underground Canopy and shaped their demos into six fully arranged and fully grown songs. Additionally, Bluestaeb and S. Fidelity recorded a ten-minute jam of the band, which they left uncut showcasing the skill and ingenuity of each member.

“Bluestaeb & S. Fidelity present Underground Canopy” will be released on 12” vinyl and on all digital platforms on January 31st 2020 via MENACE. 
Credits
All songs written and composed by Underground Canopy
Necky Gomis (Trumpet / Flugelhorn), Jeremy Talon (Guitar), Jonathan Aréna (Keys / Synth), Alfredo Grooveton (Drums), Warren Dongué (Bass)

Recorded in London by S. Fidelity
Produced and arranged at Manolo Purple Studio, Berlin by Bluestaeb & S. Fidelity
Mastering by Philipp Welsing at Original Mastering, Hamburg
Production by Mido for MENACE Production
Graphic design by Fabian Bremer
Photography by Alfred Rambaud
Assistant engineering by Ashyar Balsara and Hakim Cherfi, London
Production assistance by Jack Palmer and Camille Rigou-Chemin
Special thanks to Martin Giffard