Establishing a mood with an elegant drum riff and electric bass, Zurich-based Wolkenpark open their double single with emotion and nuance as we explore the first of the two tracks, Lazy Day.
A trumpet becomes the main protagonist of the composition, as we experience psychedelic detailing on the opus, which lends itself to ambient and funky acid-jazz frequency.
Lazy Day has a cinematic feel, which would fit cohesively into a 90s movie. We appreciate the dimensional soundscape that the foursome have created, and the cosmic nuances which add energy to the piece.
Coming from a jazz background, three of the four artists being teachers at Swiss jazz schools, Wolkenpark feature a fusion of self-described “nasty grooves” and synthesized sounds. The trumpet is performed by Kriz «Flew» Flueler, rhodes by Julien Boss, electric bass by Jean-Pierre Schaller (who also composed the track) and drums by Andy Brugger. The foursome cite Glasper, Zawinul, Miles and Goldie as influences, although it is clear that they are creating a universe of their own.
Next up is Standing Back, which takes on a more sultry energy, which has us feeling meditative as the band takes us on a more intimate journey, once again with emotive trumpet performed by Kriz «Flew» Flueler, who was the composer for this opus.
We learn that both compositions are live recordings, taking two to four takes for each track, which has us imaging how epic Wolkenpark would be to experience live. The studio versions are amplified by Kriz who played additional trumpets, flugelhorns, valve trombones and even a tuba to further dimensionalize the tracks.
We have added both songs to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we await an album from Wolkenpark, which is due out in September 2022.