Chip Wickham - The Eternal Now

Saxophonist, flautist and producer Chip Wickham casts a formidable shadow across the worldwide jazz landscape. Originally from Brighton, but now dividing his time between the UK, Spain and the Middle-East, he has made a name for himself with a series of beautifully crafted solo albums that draw equally on the hard swinging spiritual jazz of Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef and Sahih Shihab, alongside the music of British jazz legends such as Tubby Hayes and Harold McNair and the more contemporary sounds of Jazzanova, Kyoto Jazz Massive and Robert Glasper. His close working relationship with Matthew Halsall’s Gondwana Records has spanned close to two decades (since he played on Halsall’s 2008 debut ‘Sending My Love’) and has since released three standout releases on the label (the ‘Cloud 10’ LP, and the ‘Astral Travelling’ and ‘Love & Life’ EP’s). Once again returning to the heralded label, he now prepares to release his elegant fifth studio album ‘The Eternal Now’. Further exploring his penchant for hard-hitting soulful, spiritual jazz and modal hard-bop, it denotes an exciting new chapter in his much- revered discography, once which sees his unbridled artist flourish into new and fruitful pastures.

A beautifully crafted record, ‘The Eternal Now’ is a heartfelt ode to submitting oneself to the practice of creating art, and the freedom that’s derived from letting go. Speaking on his journey to bringing it into the world, Chip explains “The Eternal Now is a creative place where time has no purpose. A place where the past and the future don’t exist. A place where an artist can create something that is timeless and relevant. Writing this album has been a deliberate journey of exploration and drive into the furthest reaches of creativity. An attempt to push myself artistically into new spaces using new colours and new energy”. On how he approached this record in comparison to his previous offerings, he divulges ‘I had to be playful and take risks. It has taken longer than any other album to make and it has been so worth it. I have been drifting and taking the road less travelled as well as not looking back. I’ve enjoyed being on the outside and the freedom it has brought me to create something new and fresh and relevant and timeless.’

Opening with the rolling hand percussion and floating notes of ‘Drifting’, the record quickly finds its footing, and dives headfirst into a propulsive and splashy rhythm section. A tasteful drum fill ushers in the commencement of second single ‘Nara Black’, which features the sultry vocals of Peach, whose dreamlike lyrics intertwine with uplifting flute motifs and sweeping strings. The album’s title track is up next, channeling curious and alluring melodies through a swirling portal of sound. ‘Lost Souls’ is a restful and nourishing track, giving time for the spirit to breathe amidst rich woodwinds and soulful shakers. On ‘No Turning Back’ pensive atmospheres ease into torrents of melody, twisting like the banks of a great river. ‘The road less travelled’ sees wandering keys traverse vast undulating expanses of sound, before ‘Falling Deep’’s winding motifs beckon the listener to venture deeper within. Penultimate track ‘Ikigai’ (translating to ‘a reason for being’) harnesses a potent moment of beauty, as spectral flute dances amongst lush strings before the flourishes of ‘Outside’ bring the album to a poignant close.

A captivating and emotive listen, ‘The Eternal Now’ sees Chip at the top of his game, creating an other-worldly dreamscape with enchanting sound. He says ‘This album is about giving lost souls a home, falling deep in love with the spiritual joy of music and making something that will last like a Japanese tattoo made with Nara Black ink. Giving me balance and flow in life, my Ikigai.’

Pressed on high quality black BioVinyl at Optimal in Germany for maximum sound quality.

Tracklist:
A1. Drifting
A2. Nara Black
A3. The Eternal Now
A4. Lost Souls
B1. No Turning Back
B2. The Road Less Travelled
B3. Falling Deep
B4. Ikigai
B5. Outside