It’s been five years Bristol boy Pete Josef’s debut album ‘Colour’ was released to acclaim on Sonar Kollektiv. The multi-instrumentalist and producer made an instant impression with his slick and soulful blend of electronic music, jazz, pop and naturally, soul. He returns on Sonar Kollektiv in October with his new LP ‘I Rise With The Birds’ - an ambitious and sweeping record that swerves seamlessly from intimacy to hands in the air dancefloor rapture. This is a BIG record but at heart, he is a singer-songwriter and these are well-crafted ‘pop’ songs really that just happen to exude more cool than your usual chart fodder. With support from Gilles P and Moses Boyd, this new album should continue Pete’s upward trajectory.
He has kindly shared with us some of the music that inspired him during the making of the album and he’s chosen plenty of our favourites so sit back and enjoy the journey…
Khruangbin ‘White Gloves’
I had to start here, they are my new obsession. I was so excited when I heard their sound. Mark Speer mixes many of the influences I love in his guitar playing, especially African and South-East Asian sounds. Incredible connection between these three players too.
Lee Fields and the Expressions ‘Ladies’
You don't hear too many voices like this anymore, it feels so effortless and off the cuff. This track was definitely an influence for 'Must Be in Love'.
Kokoroko ‘Abusey Junction’
Such a killer guitar riff, I love the West African chops, and the soul in the playing. It feels like a ghostly ancestral visitation. Crazy to think of Oscar Jerome's talent as a vocalist and artist in his own right.
Nils Frahm ‘La’
There is something otherworldy about Nils Frahm's style as a player and writer. Open and expansive...like a barren tundra. 'Ambre' is also a good place to start if you don't know him.
Herbie Hancock ‘Stars In Your Eyes’
This track and others from Herbie's late 70's, early 80's disco phase were real inspirations for the track 'Mainframe'. Such effervescent positivity from this era of Herbie.
Okzharp and Manthe Ribane ‘BU’
Just love this minimal sound, they make every note and beat count. It transports me somewhere exotic, but is kind of future, pop, rootsy all at the same time. I can't wait to hear more from this duo.
Visible Cloaks, Yoshio Ojima, Sastuki Shibano ‘Stratum’
The electronic and found sound world influenced me on this album, though perhaps it's not so obvious (maybe on 'The Hard Yards'). I love this track, music like this is a calm escape for me.
Ambrose Akinmusire ‘A blooming bloodfruit in a hoodie’
I was introduced to Ambrose a few years back by one of the two trumpet players on my album, Nick Malcolm. Nick comes from the same school (he plays the trumpet solo on 'Hope', from my first album, and on 'Mainframe' on 'I Rise With The Birds'. This opening track of 'Origami Harvest' is a masterpiece of arrangement I think. I love the slow evolve from chamber sound to Hip-hop infused Jazz. It feels defiant but beautiful to me.
Roy Davis Jnr, Peven Everett ‘Gabriel (Live Garage Mix)’
I saw Peven Everett a few years back at Southern Soul in Montenegro. Such a mercurial talent. This version of Gabriel takes me back to the 90s dance scene and sound system culture in Bristol. I'd love to get a Roy Davis Jr remix of one of my tracks. Sampha also does a great cover of this song.
Rotary Connection ‘Love has Fallen on Me’
Orchestral arrangement has been a big thing for me on 'I Rise With The Birds', so I wanted to put a track in here that shows one of the masters. This is all about Charles Stepney, who also worked on Earth Wind and Fire productions. I just love the vision and grandeur of his work. I could easily have included some David Van De Pitte arrangement (Motown Arranger on Marvin Gaye's 'Whats Going On'), or even Bill Medley's production and arrangement on 'Unchained Melody' - all big influences, especially on 'Friend on the Line', 'Lavender' and 'Snatching Time'.
‘I Rise With The Birds’ is released on Sonar Kollektiv on October 16th 2020
