The brainchild of drummer/producer Chiminyo, NRG is more than just an album, label, or event. It’s a concept. Born from a conversation about the UK jazz scene (is it really jazz?), Chiminyo concluded that this musical expression is less about "jazz" and more about energy (NRG).

 

With this in mind, he set out to explore, celebrate, and harness NRG in its purest form. No labels, no promoters, no industry, no control—just Chiminyo and members of his musical community exchanging strictly improvised NRG with audiences, capturing the spontaneous beauty to share with the world.

 

For this fourth edition, NRG 4, Ronnie Scott’s offered the exceptional opportunity for Chiminyo to record one of his live albums at the iconic venue. Of course, he rose to the challenge and invited an incredible lineup to bring his vision to life. Levitation Orchestra’s James Akers leads the ensemble on tenor sax, with Brownswood’s latest harp/electronics signing, Marysia Osu, adding her signature dreamy harp and FX to the group’s sound. Chiminyo is joined in the rhythm section by Nubya Garcia collaborator and Jazz Re:freshed veteran Daniel Casimir, playing both double and electric bass, and Lyle Barton on keys and synths (who has also played with artists such as Nubya Garcia, Emma Jean-Thackray, Nala Sinephro, and Zara McFarlane). The final cherry on top is electronic musician/producer Tilé Gichigi-Liperé (AKA D’vo), who processes the band’s audio live from the stage, adding stunning psychedelic effects to various elements in real time.

 

And you can really feel the vibrant NRG of the capital pulsating throughout. Uptempo, frenetic tunes such as “Into The Storm” and “Levitate” are beautifully balanced with peaceful, soundscape-driven pieces like “Sonder” and “Serenity.” In classic NRG fashion, Chiminyo invited friends from the crowd to join on a few tunes. Jorja Smith's backing vocalist and rising neo-soul artist BAELY joins the band on the smooth and silky “Nightfall,” while Cuban alto saxophone virtuoso Regis Molina joins on “Levitate” and “Ascendance.”

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It’s incredible to think that this record is entirely improvised because each track comes across as a carefully sculpted masterpiece, a clear testament to the remarkable musicians on the lineup.

 

Chiminyo - Drums
James Akers - Saxophone
Marysia Osu - Harp & Effects
Lyle Barton - Keyboards/Synthesizers
Tilé Gichigi-Liperé - Live Electronics
Daniel Casimir - Double/Electric Bass

 

+ Featured Musicians:
BAELY (Vocals - Nightfall)
Regis Molina (Alto Saxophone - Ascendance, Levitate)