Glasgow's Nimbus Sextet launch Forward Thinker on May 27th

Listen to a few tracks from the Nimbus Sextet's new Nuovi Fratelli-produced Forward Thinker album below. 

Here's the scoop...

On May 27th, promising Glasgow-based contemporary jazz combo The Nimbus Sextet will be releasing Forward Thinker, the follow-up to their Acid Jazz label debut album Dreams Fulfilled issued back in 2020. Recorded and produced again by the Nuovi Fratelli team of Wayne Dickson & Luigi Pasquini,  Forward Thinker is a sophisticated seven-tracker, with intricate arrangements by bandleader and keyboardist Joe Nichols, a jazz-funk sound that nods heavily to Herbie Hancock et al’s 70s output. 

Title track ‘Forward Thinker’ is a seriously nimble and funky bass and drums propelled cosmic jazz-dancer. Despite the high energy levels, this is probably the most restrained track on the album, the super sharp brass and constant groove making this an exhilarating winner, reminiscent of Idris Muhammed. A surefire jazz-dance staple in the making. 

Forward Thinker’ features trombone from Nathaniel Cross (Solange, Macy Gray), and tuba from Jonny Enser (Nubiyan Twist). It marries a 70s jazz-funk ethos with the nu-jazz aesthetic of Moses Boyd and Theon Cross. Fitting then, that the single's primary featured artist is the latter's brother Nathaniel Cross. Bandleader Joe Nichols called on long term collaborators Nuovi Fratelli to help mold the piece into a spacey jazz-dance track that bridged the gap between classic Dexter Wansel and modern day jazz anarchists Cykada.

Nichols gives us an insight into the single: “Forward Thinker's high octane, propulsive energy delves into the inner mechanisms of my mind when ambition and the need for me to move forward in my life takes control of me. The horn lines represent my scatter-gun brain as it darts about from one place to next when in this mode, while the groove is the engine of my creative drive. Conceptually as well as musically, it is the album's centerpiece, setting the stage for the exploration of my mind and mental health that the album journeys through. Nuovi Fratelli provided me with the mechanics to realize this vision on the title track.

Nuovi Fratelli

Says Wayne Dickson (Nuovi Fratelli): "Forward Thinker was the greatest challenge that Luigi and I had yet faced on a Nimbus Sextet production, and the most exciting. Colin Curtis had previously commissioned us to remix STR4TA's 'Rhythm In Your Mind'. In retrospect, this was intrinsic to the direction we took Forward Thinker in. 

"We had no hang ups about letting any of our influences into the production. My love for 70s era David Rubinson productions of the Pointer Sisters and Herbie Hancock are obvious from the outset, but when we move into the space-age section we fused elements of Dexter Wansel and Salsoul-era Candido. But there was still something missing. Luigi and I are both Giorgio Moroder fans, so he played an 'I Feel Love'-esque synth bass line that took it where it needed to go - the stratosphere! We also wanted to make sure the track grooved in the way that we’ve come to expect from the fantastic Space Grapes releases. There are so many disparate influences on Forward Thinker from all of us."

‘Woodview’ offers a short piano piece of deep and emotional contemplation that suggests the wistful romanticism of Alice Coltrane. This leads seamlessly into the slow burning ‘Another Place’. Setting off where ‘Woodview’ ended, the gentle piano led piece is a supporting vehicle initially for trumpeter Euan Allardice’s lyrical soloing, before an abrupt change of direction as the whole band breaks into a staccato Latin-ish rhythm that unleashes a raw burst of Michael Butcher on the sax. 

The album's second side offers a concept trilogy where Nichols explores the emotional journey that he went on during lockdown. ‘Search For Solace' sees the band breaking out and really exploring their ensemble playing. The slick drums and bass of Alex Palmer and Mischa Stevens hold down the hip hop funk groove alongside Joe Nichols’ gorgeous piano riffing as the piece grows and expands with standout solos and some delicious moments of release, especially during a wonderful psychedelic synth section that artfully picks up into the deep, rhythmically complex second movement ‘From The Shadows’ that carries us back gently to earth. 

The conclusion of the trilogy and first single from the album, ‘To The Light’ is another killer dancing tune that epitomises the band’s ability to absolutely own the jazz-funk groove. Like their playlist-busting version of Yussef Kamaal’s ‘Lowrider’ on their Helix EP, Nimbus Sextet make this appear easy. Nichols’ fingers are on fire as he completes run after run of hyper-speed funkiness over a hard-hitting horn and rhythm section. 

The Nimbus Sextet make their Paris debut at New Morning on May 26th and return to the London stage at Pizza Express Live on May 27th - the album release date. 

Get the Forward Thinker album via Bandcamp right here. Check out "To The Light," "High Time" feat. Charlotte de Graaf and the album's title track "Forward Thinker" feat.  Nathaniel Cross below.