Jeb Loy Nichols is an artist, writer and musician living a sustainable existence in Wales. He’s also just released an incredible album full of moving, delicate, beautifully arranged songs sung in his seductive and distinctive southern American accent
Hailing from Wyoming he soon outgrew the artistic scenes of his native south and headed for New York art school, immersing himself in it’s creative scene witnessing the emergence of punk, the birth of hip hop and getting down to Larry Levan. London was the next stop where he ended up living in a squat with Adrian Sherwood, Neneh Cherry and Ari Up from the Slits from where he pursued his musical career whilst designing prints for Paul Smith, working as the art director for Pressure Sounds and even performing vocals with Groove Armada.
This latest album sees Jeb teaming up with some of London’s best young jazz players including exciting young drum prospect Tim Giles, sax/flute player Mark Hanslip and bassist and arranger Riaan Vosloo who is also the co-founder of Impossible Ark, the exciting new label responsible for this release.
Jennifer Carr’s classical and jazz piano accompanies Jeb’s lyrical journey through these affairs of the heart to great effect and an added string section adds extra emotional depth to this already poignant album.
Highlights abound it really is an all killer no filler affair although the gentle caress of ‘Probably Never stop’ with it’s barely audible drums and carefully arranged strings tugs at my hear every time and the catchy piano line, restrained sax and more well used strings work wonders on ‘Lake Whitfield’.
Varied this album isn’t but when the vibe and overall feel is this good why change it? Definitely one of my albums of the year.
Impossible Ark Records
Jeb Loy Nichols Website
