Big Yuki Album Preview Press Photo 715 Square
Today, jazz heads and groove-lovers everywhere have a reason to be excited, ecstatic, even. Japanese keys phenomenon BIGYUKI is returning with a brand new EP produced by Highbreed Music (more specifically Tariq Khan at the BREEDING Ground NYC), due to fully drop in August. But a portion of that new record is already ready for your listening pleasure, thanks to an exclusive joint stream between Okayplayer and Revive Music.
Leading off the teaser trailer is "Greek Fire," which opens with morse code hi-hats and blossoming synth chords--until it all explodes. Fiery indeed, the track charts multiple grooves at a breakneck pace, choosing tempos at will and championing dark, seedy tones at every turn. Up next is "The Keymaker pt. 2," a cascading, bluesy piece that features Yuki deploying acoustic piano, rhodes keyboards and synth bass at even, beautiful rations. (The key bass, after all, is Yuki's weapon of choice).
And things finish (preview-wise) with "Paradise Descended," a streetlamp-lit ballad that grows, ever so gradually, soaring on open keyboard vamps before finally locking into a hypnotic hip-hop groove double-varnished by slide guitars. It's jazz made for a prison break, a bank heist or, perhaps, a max-volume headphones session in the comfort of your own home. Smart, a little surly and full of unorthodox techniques, the trailer is a wild ride and gives us quite a bit of faith in the forthcoming full length. Yuki and his ensemble will bring their blend of bass-heavy and expansive jazz to New York City for a very special album preview concert that's taking place tonight, June 24th, at Manhattan's Le Poisson Rouge. Tickets for their show can be picked up here. Listen to the special OKP+Revive album preview of Yuki's upcoming release below and be prepared to have your jazz synapses overloaded with refined dopeness.
