jk group: what's real? ep
Francisco Espregueira
Led by the talented saxophonist Josh Kelly, the JK Group is a collective of visionary musicians from the Australian independent music scene. After the success of The Young Ones (2020), they continue to develop new forms of improvisation in the jazz music realm - never leaving its legacy behind, but embracing the contemporary currents that have crossed with the genre in recent years, honestly reflecting the time and space we live in. Last friday they presented the surprising What's Real? EP, letting their creativity flow on five tracks that have as much improvisation as technical brilliance.
Most of What's Real? is based on sketches and musical experiences coming from The Young Ones project, however expanding the JK Group's sound in numerous directions that still needed something more concrete to define them. The stars lined up, and in the middle of different tours around Australia, the band members managed to find each other and… create. No prior conversations, no planning. The result is impressive and moving, with the record accurately conveying a magical and spontaneous energy that Kelly and company 'drawn' from the musical connection that binds them. Conceived and recorded in lands that historically belong to the Wurundjeri tribe of the Kulin Nation, the JK Group recognizes the historical tradition of the place and its influence on What’s Real?. Available on vinyl, the money made from this project will help the reforestation efforts on these same lands - courtesy of La Sape Records.