Bristol experimental jazz collectiveIshmael Ensemblereveal their expansive new albumVisions of Light.The follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2019 debutA State of Flow, praised by the likes ofThe Guardian, Mojo, The Wireandtastemakers acrossBBC 6Music, this sophomore record sees the group reimagine what an ensemble can do; expanding into a shifting collective, where human relationships between artists underpin far-ranging, stunningly ambitious and emotionally heavyweight compositions.

Helmed by producer and saxophonist Pete Cunningham, Ishmael Ensembles richly inventive 2019 debutA State Of Flowmarked them out as an explosive new force in UK jazz, imbuing lush cinematic compositions with left-field dub and electronic sensibilities redolent of Bristols vital musical landscape. Named The GuardiansContemporary Album Of The Month andMojos Jazz Album of The Month, it saw the group performMaida Vale sessions for bothGilles PetersonandTom Ravenscroft,as well as feature on compilations forBrownswood RecordingsandSoul Jazz Records. Cunninghams rise as an in-demand producer led to remixes for the likes of techno royaltyCarl Craig, as well as legendary jazz labelBlue Note Recordsalongside a plethora of the UKs finest musical talentonBlue Note Re:Imagined.

Ishmael Ensemble has since become a platform for Cunningham to subvert the conventional notions of producer/artist relationships, unsettling genre tags, and transcending the familiar landscape of UK jazz itself. Across the albums 10 tracks, Cunningham practices a holistic approach with a long list of collaborators. Together, they explore vast new sonic terrain with an honesty, intimacy and emotional heft impossible for a conventional band.

Visions Of Lighttells the story of Ishmael Ensembles development across its two sides. The first draws from the energy Cunningham and his bandmates discovered whilst extensively touringA State Of Flow.

The album opens with a cascade of harp glissandos and the gorgeous Feather Holysseus Flys lush vocal lulling the listener into a false sense of security, before her voice is warped beyond recognition in the high-octane, cacophonous Wax Werk. The tracks that follow take a darker, heavier turn. The driving, uninhibited performances of Stephen Mullins (guitar) and Rory OGorman (drums), along with Jake Spurgeons agile synth work, lay the foundation for Cunningham to deliver his most confident and direct saxophone performances to date.

Side B sees Cunningham settle into his role as producer and collaborator, resetting the scene with the vivid and playful Looking Glass, inviting vocalist, harpist and strings arranger STANLAEY to take centre stage. The landscape shifts again for the movingly nostalgic Morning Chorus, whilst The Gift sees the angelic vocals of Tiny Chapter (Waldos Gift) initiate a dizzying crescendo of swirling synthesisers and string arrangements. WhenVisions Of Lightresolves with the gorgeous slow-burner January, it is with an unmistakable hopefulness something that, in these times of disquietude, is urgently felt.

TRACKLISTING
Side A
1. Intro
2. Feather
3. Wax Werk
4. Soma Centre
5. Empty Hands

Side B
1. Looking Glass
2. Morning Chorus
3. Visions of Light
4. The Gift
5. January