Ishmael Ensemble’s Pete Cunningham is at the helm of today’s Sunday session, which offers an illuminating glimpse into the musician and producer’s own listening habits.
Ishmael Ensemble is the Bristol-based collective best known for their free-wheeling and experimental take on contemporary jazz. Last summer, they released their gorgeous second album Visions of Light. Much like their debut full-length, 2019’s A State of Flow, the record drew from Bristol’s rich and storied musical heritage. It also saw the group delving deeper into other areas of inspiration, including their electronic sensibilities.
It’s something Cunningham does here, too, as he mines his personal collection for a mix of atmospheric slow-burners, tender vocal-led tunes and spirit-soaring jazz. From a piece by spoken word artist and poet James Massiah through to ethereal wonders by fellow Bristol-based artist t l k, or tracks from the likes of Grove, Nala Sinephro and Sarah Davachi, it’s a shape-shifting offering comprised of music “that’s really resonated over the last two years of weirdness”. The mix also features a new Rider Shafique version of Visions of Light track Empty Hands.
“I’ve found my tastes have gravitated towards two extremities: frenetic walls of noise and lush, expansive dronescapes,” muses Cunningham. “A lot of it is from Bristol. There’s so much greatness bubbling here at the moment from the likes of Grove, t l k and Tiny Chapter, I haven’t really needed to look further afield for inspiration.”
Sunday Mix: Ishmael Ensemble
Sunday Mix: Ishmael Ensemble
Ishmael Ensemble’s Pete Cunningham is at the helm of today’s Sunday session, which offers an illuminating glimpse into the musician and producer’s own listening habits.
Ishmael Ensemble is the Bristol-based collective best known for their free-wheeling and experimental take on contemporary jazz. Last summer, they released their gorgeous second album Visions of Light. Much like their debut full-length, 2019’s A State of Flow, the record drew from Bristol’s rich and storied musical heritage. It also saw the group delving deeper into other areas of inspiration, including their electronic sensibilities.
It’s something Cunningham does here, too, as he mines his personal collection for a mix of atmospheric slow-burners, tender vocal-led tunes and spirit-soaring jazz. From a piece by spoken word artist and poet James Massiah through to ethereal wonders by fellow Bristol-based artist t l k, or tracks from the likes of Grove, Nala Sinephro and Sarah Davachi, it’s a shape-shifting offering comprised of music “that’s really resonated over the last two years of weirdness”. The mix also features a new Rider Shafique version of Visions of Light track Empty Hands.
“I’ve found my tastes have gravitated towards two extremities: frenetic walls of noise and lush, expansive dronescapes,” muses Cunningham. “A lot of it is from Bristol. There’s so much greatness bubbling here at the moment from the likes of Grove, t l k and Tiny Chapter, I haven’t really needed to look further afield for inspiration.”
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