Marking our point of entry into Space Cartel’s eclectic artistry, ‘Giant Jack’ unfolds before our very eyes as a highly hypnotic and cinematic endeavour, a slice of emotional intensity and euphoric aural turmoil that’s as heartwarming as it is elegant and dreamy. Marking the London-based project’s latest effort, ‘Giant Jack’ sees founder, pianist and composer Johnny Bosbyshell rallying a very talented group of musicians around him, including fellow founders and longtime collaborators Justin Neely, Ted Kleist, and Joe Lilly.
While the core members hail from the US, alongside Bosbyshell himself, ‘Giant Jack’ has been recorded in London, UK, at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. This follows up on the conclusion of Johnny’s academic journey in the British capital. Anyway, details and circumstances aside, it’s good to note the effect that such a powerful composition and performance has on the listeners. You see, this is not your average release; it takes a lot of effort and commitment to organise such a striking display of musicianship and coordination.
Bosbyshell makes it happen, blending his jazz and fusion roots with a more palatable and grandiose sonic imprint. Oscillating between rock, jazz, and pop, ‘Giant Jack’ is an instrumental piece with an extremely approachable and heartwarming allure, and we are confident it will connect with a large audience out there. The addition of orchestral elements such as strings and horns adds a further blissful quality to it, a slice of expansive lusciousness that’s hard to resist. Overall, ‘Giant Jack’ is a bold jump into the aural unknown; it takes faith and courage to fully get into it, but the reward at the end is immense.
Delving deeper into the piece, Johnny Bosbyshell explains: “For a long time, this project felt like a dream I’d never quite have the time or resources to finish. Attending Abbey Road Institute in 2024 changed that, and it gave me both the space and confidence to bring Space Cartel back to life. When I first walked into the Angel 1 studio, everything suddenly felt possible. After graduating in June 2025, my original bandmates flew to London, and I pulled together an incredible UK string and horn section. Recording two of our songs live as a 15-piece ensemble in Angel 1 was the moment it all came full circle.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Giant Jack’ on YouTube:
