The EP I'm about to share with you captures a moment so random, it just can't be replicated again. A moment that happened on DECEMBER 28, 2025.
I’ve been following Chris Mazuera since 2020, and his approach to groove-driven production has always resonated with me. Blending jazz-leaning instrumentation with beat-maker sensibilities and a strong emphasis on texture and feel is absolutely my jam. Needless to say, as soon as I heard there would be new music with Chris' imprint, I was all in.
This time, however, Chris isn't alone. He's accompanied by Houston-born, LA-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Johnathan Hulett. The 3-track EP came with a short story, which I found quite fascinating.
"This EP was created the same day Johnathan and I first connected. I reached out to him via Instagram DMs that morning, we met up a few hours later, and made the entire project in a single session. Everything was recorded and mixed live on a Tascam cassette recorder, with no computers involved at any point," Chris shared with me.
I believe it is that sense of spontaneity that gives the entire experience (and ultimately the sound of the DECEMBER 28, 2025 EP) its unique character. The 3 tracks are some of the tightest, groove-heavy instrumentals I've heard in a while. If you vibe with the essence of jazz, paired with the forward-thinking contemporary sound of artists like Kaelin Ellis, Kiefer, or The Kount, you're in good hands.
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"Our process was quickly coming up with a foundation (chord progression, melody), not spending too much time overthinking it. After that, we took a jazz-like approach where we didn't actually know exactly what we were going to play while we were recording; we just had the foundation of the song to go off of. After that, repeat the same process but with the overdubbed instruments, not much planned, just improvise a take."
As a drummer, the whole thing sounds like heaven - as if the guys are with me in the room and I'm just quietly vibing and admiring their otherworldly talent. This short but sweet collection of moments is a breath of fresh air in the instrumental space, and I hope they decide to build-up on that experience and grace us with a full record down the line.
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