Alexander IV is a personal friend, label mate, an all-around beautiful human being, and an outstanding musician whose horizon spans across genres and emotions. Today, we celebrate his brand new record, Alchemist, released via another great record label - Sonar Kollektiv.
Joris has been talking about his debut full-length LP, Alchemist, for a while, so I was really excited to hear what he had in store for us. The end result? A gorgeous collection of sound, woven together by his sense of groove and desire to explore different cultures and vibes. The record brings together 13 meticulously crafted tracks that move through introspective rhythms, stirring soul, resonant Afro-jazz, and slow-funk moments, featuring a handful of very special guests, including Oli Hannaford, Cezanne, Pete Josef, and Ursula Rucker. It took me some time to figure out why he chose the name Alchemist, but I have to say - this guy is a true magician when it comes to using the chemistry of music!
I've decided to spotlight "Long Way from Home" as a great entry point into the record. What started out as a studio jam with Afrobeat percussion and a Fela Kuti-style guitar riff from Jelle Crooijmans, it took Joris months to shape the song into what it is today. "Pete came up with these amazing choirs and vocal lines, and trumpet player Luuk Hof added the finishing touches. It’s not a typical song structure, and that’s exactly what I love about it," he elaborates.
By all means, you should not stop here. This is an album with absolutely no skips. I might just do a full album review, because at this point, I fall in love with every single track I get to explore in-depth.
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