Words by Justin Turford

Nick Walters is one those cats on the UK jazz scene who has quietly been building a reputation as the real thing. Known for his work with the bands Ruby Rushton, Riot Jazz Brass Band and Beats & Pieces Big Band, and respected and raved about by players such as Gilles, Huey, Tom Ravenscroft and Mary-Anne Hobbs on BBC Radio 6 as well as gaining glowing words in the global jazz press columns.

His first release on his own label D.O.T. Records in 2021 was the third album by another of his collaborative outfits Paradox Ensemble titled ‘Implicate Order’ and this short set of top shelf big band fusion compositions set out the standards for the label from the off, collecting wide acclaim and anticipation for what the composer/trumpeter was going to deliver next.

In early 2022, Nick released a studio album ‘Singularity’ that was space travel jazz of the highest order, his signature palette of spiritual, modal and eastern colourings melded with cosmic synths and electronic interventions. A stunning two track 10 inch called ‘Ranakpur’ turned up in December 2022 and was an Indian raga-exploring signal for what was to come, his new album 'Padmāsana', inspired and informed by two different visits to India, where he absorbed, lived and physically sampled the world around him. Now is now and we are very pleased to premiere the song ‘Udaipur’ from the record (listen below). The foundation of the track is the drum pattern sampled from a wedding band he came across at Lake Pichola in Udaipur, the rhythm built on from there with programmed drums and keys by Nick, his longtime collaborator Tenderlonious on flute and Kieran McLeod on trombone joining him on the superb ensemble riffing whilst letting rip on their own solo moments. Like the rest of the album, the esoteric sits easily with the modern, there’s even a passing resemblance on this track to that early 90s jazzy-beats crossover universe peopled by Talkin’ Loud, Young Disciples et al. Spiritual jazz with a funky heart.

‘Padmāsana’ is released on 3rd February 2023 on D.O.T. Records