Diving headfirst into ‘Hidden Sun’, it took us a while to fully understand what we were listening to. Is this a jazz record? Is this a ska project? Truth is, the EP is all of those things at the same time, and more. It’s a highly eclectic journey across a multitude of influences, a peculiar aural formula that’s hypnotic and sui generis. Behind such a comprehensive effort, we find Amsterdam-based outfit 12 Tribes of Mars. Founded by tenor saxophone player Andrius Deraviancenko, the boundary-pushing collective collects four other musicians, all keen on exploring the limits of artistic expression, not bound by any preconceptions or hard rules.
‘Hidden Sun’ is fitting evidence of that. Throughout eight kaleidoscopic episodes, the record finds its feet into the Reggae, Ska, and Dub tradition, yet all seen through a rather daring perspective. Jazz is a pretty strong component of it, especially when it comes to the harmonic constructs and the free-form drum grooves. In fact, the EP continuously oscillates between dance-oriented moments and more abstract sections, a balance that works surprisingly well.
A piece such as ‘The Lake Oasis’ showcases that perfectly, perhaps also one of the most Jazz-leaning tracks on the record. It brings to mind British outfit Bad Bad Not Good, among others. Horns and saxophones are free to solo as they please, while the rhythm section is holding down a large, bouncy groove. At the other end of the spectrum, ‘Mountain Flower’ embraces 12 Tribes of Mars’s boldest ska character. ‘Hidden Sun’ is a dynamic, ever-evolving record, one that opens up new aural horizons for any brave listeners out there.
Recommended! Discover ‘Hidden Sun’ now: