2025 is the year of contemporary jazz. Artists like corto.alto, Matt Wilde, Braxton Cook, Moses Yoofee, VLADKO, Yoni Mayraz and R.S. Riverman have topped my personal charts and I realize I listen to alot more of that dynamic, forward-thinking new genre blend than ever before. I feel the genre is a revival form and we're experiencing such a creative new wave of artists that's bound to break into the mainstream lane.

I have to add the name of 9ICK and his brand-new track "Postcard from 2023" could easily be one of my favourite new gems. The song is the second single from 9ICK's upcoming album SMIL ( “smile” in Danish), following-up the positive radiation of "Cold Dip" released back in August.

"Postcard from 2023" dwells on the more mellow side of things, but it perfectly balances calmness and the feeling of rapid build-ups and improvisation. This one is all about the little details. I love how the haze of classic jazz floats through the mix, wrapped in psychedelic congas and anchored by a bassline that instantly locks you in. What makes it even more captivating is the way it came together - a cross-continental jam session without borders. Musicians hailing from LA, Amsterdam, Austin, and Copenhagen each added their touch, all that thanks to the stellar talents of Elijah Fox, Zach Yañez, and Louk Cox who complement 9ICK's flow.

Even though the recordings happened worlds apart, the track pulses with the spark of live interplay, melting distance into one seamless, hypnotic flow.

posted by Ivo
Yesterday