Same As You

Polar Bear

SKU: BAY98V

Barcode: 843190009817

16.00 £16.00
  • Genre: Jazz
  • Label: Leaf
  • Released Date: 30th March 2015
  • Buying Format:
    2LP Gatefold Sleeve

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Same As You is released almost a year to the day since In Each And Every One, the album that secured Polar Bear’s reputation with their second Mercury Prize shortlisting.

4/5 REVIEW IN MOJO: “POLAR BEAR’S MUSIC HASN’T ALWAYS BEEN AS BLISSFULLY LAIDBACK AS IT IS HERE ON THEIR SIXTH LONG-PLAYER. THERE’S A PRONOUNCED HYPNOTIC EBB AND FLOW TO THE MUSIC, WHICH IS CHARACTERISED BY EXPANSIVE, OPEN-ENDED GROOVES THAT ARE HEAVY ON ATMOSPHERE AND MOOD-CREATION.”

4/5 in UNCUT: “THEIR SIXTH ALBUM IS THEIR MOST DIRECT AND UPLIFTING YET”

4/5 IN Q: “OFT-GARLANDED JAZZ ENSEMBLE MAKE DAZZLING RETURN. IT’S 20 MINUTE CLOSER STEALS THE SHOW WITH ITS SPECTACULAR REIMAGINING OF MILES DAVIS’S EPIC EARLY 70’S EXPERIMENTS IN TRANSCENDENTAL JAZZ-FUNK”

Given its short gestation, it is striking how far removed the new album is from its predecessor . After the dark complexity of recent output, Same As You is startlingly fresh, as inclusive and accessible as the title suggests, while still maintaining the playful experimentation on which the band has made its name.

Originally conceived as a single longform piece, the tempo remains constant but does not prevent the band from producing swells of raw, joyous, life-affirming energy within these self-imposed limits

The vocal performances and the heartfelt, spiritual lyrics are an inspired addition to the rich instrumental mix: Pete Wareham and Mark Lockheart (tenor sax), Tom Herbert (double bass) and Leafcutter John (guitar, electronics), with Shabaka Hutchings (Sons Of Kemet, Melt Yourself Down) making a guest appearance.

The album’s lead single ‘Dont Let The Feeling Go’ sees Rochford take on vocal duties alongside a choir of friends and collaborators: it’s Polar Bear at their most direct.

The use of vocals may catch the ear but that should come as no surprise given that Rochford has enjoyed working with singers as diverse as Beck, Spoek Mathambo, Paolo Nutini and Rokia Traoré over a 15 year career that has seen the drummer, composer and producer emerge as a pivotal figure in contemporary British music

Recorded by Rochford in London, and mixed in the Mojave Desert with Ken Barrientos late last year

Polar Bear will tour Europe from February (see confirmed dates below)

Limited edition gatefold double vinyl includes CD

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Track Listings

A1. Life Love And Light
A2. We Feel The Echoes
B1. The First Steps
B2. Of Hi Lands
C. Dont Let The Feeling Go
D. Unrelenting Unconditional

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