Based in Brighton, England, Ebi Soda developed their distinctive sound through long stretches of improvisation at a farmhouse in the countryside. Artists such as Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis and Lounge Lizards have had a deep influence on their sound and aesthetic, alongside a loose, Midwestern-tinged emo undercurrent. These qualities are clear throughout the band’s recordings, including its latest release, Frank Dean and Andrew. Though adept at using electronic effects to create atmosphere, Ebi Soda keep the music firmly instrumental: guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and horns each play their part, together framing the gentle melancholy of the title track. The song was inspired by Ez Goomi’s distinctive cover art, which depicts several stylized figures—Frank, Dean and Andrew—sitting alone in their respective apartments. The music reflects the loneliness that so many people feel in the contemporary world. Guitarist Conor Knight, keyboardist Lou Jenkins and bassist Hari Lee-Evans establish the track’s emotional tone; trombonist Will Heaton, trumpeter Dan Gray and saxophonist Jonny Poole then add horn lines that sound like sighs, deepening that sense of solitude. Drummer Sam Schlich-Davies holds it all together with a measured pulse.
Original source: JAZZIZ