Fresh sounds: Vels Trio - Celestial Greens

Brighton based experimental jazz trio Vels Trio shared a new single Celestial Greens, ahead of the release of the band's debut album Celestial Greens.

Vels Trio reap their jazz-fusion crop with a stellar 11-track debut album Celestial Greens on Rhythm Section International. Wandering through their versatile musical vision, the LP represents the amalgamation of London’s finest jazz players; Jack Stephenson-Oliver on keys (Poppy Ajudha), Dougal Taylor behind the drum kit (Emma-Jean Thackray) and Cameron Dawson on bass (Puma Blue). The end result: 40 minutes of high-fidelity-worthy audio elation, destined for the album of year lists.

The album soars through psychedelic synth progressions, deep arrangements and finessed groove sections. Recorded mostly in Kate Bush’s personal studio in Welling, Wicker Studios, Vels Trio went through numerous versions of each track until settling on the right take to build the composition from, always considering the album format first and foremost. This arduous process has gilded the record, elevating their musicianship to unseen heights. Celestial Greens represents an exploration of a new vision of modern progressive music, consolidating their influence on the emerging UK soul and RnB scenes, whilst creating a sound that’s idiosyncratic yet accessible to any fan of electronic music.

Listen to Vels Trio new single Celestial Greens, from the band's debut album Celestial Greens:

In 2017, Vels Trio entered the UK jazz-fusion echelons with breakout EP Yellow Ochre on TRC. Conjuring the spirit of old greats and modern innovators like Herbie Hancock and Robert Glasper, the trio captured the underground audience whilst inaugurating themselves into the headier jazz foray. With a feature from the mighty Shabaka Hutchings bolstering the EP to a broader audience, and astonishing live performances, the record led to sold out shows across Europe in 2018.

Since then the band has been busy on-hire for other prominent artists within international soulful jazz scenes, backing for the likes of Charlotte dos Santos and Poppy Ajudha. Their individual journeys involve drummer Dougal Taylor working with Emma-Jean Thackray and Neue Grafik Ensemble on critically acclaimed EPs, bassist Cameron Dawson signing to Ubiquity with Mamas Gun, and keyboard virtuoso Jack Stephenson Oliver creating dancefloor magic with our very own SAUL and Nigerian composer Etuk Ubong.