Robin Katz shares lead single ‘The Moon’ from new album ‘Hypnos’ out 29th May via Gearbox Records
Robin Katz | Photo Credit: MVINTY
Today, London-based guitarist and composer Robin Katz returns with details of his new album ‘Hypnos’. Out 29th May on London analog specialist label Gearbox Records (Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Knats, Elliot Galvin, Chihei Hatakeyama & Shun Ishiwaka + more), the album follows his recent cover of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s ‘Merry Christmas Mr. Lawerence’, which was released on Christmas Eve.
Rooted in jazz tradition yet shaped by a wide range of influences, from flamenco and bossa nova to neo-classical minimalism, funk, soul and 90s hip-hop, Katz has performed widely across the UK, collaborating with artists including Disclosure, Reuben James, Georgia Cecile, Giacomo Smith, Kourosh Kanani, the London Django Collective and Joseph Lawrence. His debut EP ‘Oceans for Eros’, created with orchestrator Guy Barker, introduced his expansive musical voice, followed by his recent album Rock Music, produced by FREEMONK.
Once again building on those same jazz foundations, Katz new album ‘Hypnos’ finds him at his most subtle, with deceptively intricate guitars paired to the new addition of Hammond organ, which are played by guest musician Nathaniel Ledwidge. At once atmospheric and otherworldly, the organ playing here is at odds with what most may associate the sound of the instrument with and adds a soulful and intimate counterpart to Katz poignant compositions. The first taste of this comes in the form of ‘The Moon’. Ebbing and flowing, redolent of the lunar tides, the track sees rolling, ruminative nylon finger picked guitar lines dance around ethereal organ swells.
Hear / share ‘The Moon’ here
Going on to speak on the album, Katz says, “With Hypnos, I wanted to create something pared back and super simple. These pieces were initially written as études for solo guitar, and they reflect the wide range of influences found in the music I love to listen to. A life spent listening to Django Reinhardt and Philip Glass!
The inclusion of the Hammond organ came from a desire to pair the nylon-string guitar with an instrument you don’t usually hear alongside it. For me, the Hammond evokes gospel and the classic organ trios of Wes Montgomery— it’s a soulful, funk sonic and very spiritual. It was a real blessing to have Nathaniel Ledwidge play Hammond on the record and to showcase the softer side of this iconic instrument.
Hypnos is the Greek god of sleep, the father of Morpheus, the god of dreams. Is the music dreamy and hypnotic, a brief slumberous escape from the madness out there? I hope so.”
‘Hypnos’ is out 29th May via Gearbox Records – pre-save here
Tracklisting:
1. Floating World
2. Kingdom
3. The Moon
4. My Friend Kushi
5. Stargazer
6. Silent Forest
7. Ukiyo
8. Hypnos
Personnel:
Robin Katz • Guitar
Nathaniel Ledwidge • Hammond
FREEMONK • Sound engineer and mix
Casper Sutton-Jones • Mastering
All compositions Robin Katz
