Solar Eclipse Clear Path Ensemble

• 1 Kihi 02:12
• 2 Drumatix 02:51
• 3 Revolutions 05:12
• 4 Absolvo 03:16
• 5 Interlock 03:59
• 6 Solar Eclipse 03:10
• 7 Sunrise Motif 06:42
• 8 Plazma Plaza 02:18
• 9 Talking to Water 01:28
• 10 Tennis Ball 03:10
• Total Runtime 34:18

Info for Solar Eclipse

As pockets of new jazz scenes emerge around the world, it’s apparent that New Zealand’s bubbling microcosm in Wellington interprets the genre through a unique lens.

Clear Path Ensemble bottles the energy of that burgeoning movement and distils it into moody morsels of differing styles. From electric jazz to ambient, experimental, house and funk – it’s a DIY, jam-session attitude towards composition, as the band members freely cherry-pick from a vast orchard of influences.

Citing inspiration from 70s ECM catalogue, the ensemble channels the “expansive and astral” elements of electric jazz, with an introspective dynamic. At times it’s fused with catchy synth hooks, smooth bass-lines and shuffling beats, while other tracks morph into moody electronic soundscapes, and even Sun Ra-esque free jazz.

Led by percussionist Cory Champion, the band released their debut self-titled album with HHV in 2020, followed by a headline performance at the 2021 Wellington Jazz Festival. Champion has played drums alongside some of New Zealand’s most revered contemporary musicians (Lord Echo, Lucien Johnson and Mara TK to name a few), and also produces leftfield deep house and techno under the name Borrowed cs, which partly informs the ensemble’s electronic production.

Says Champion: “for a long time I had ambitions to make this project but always planned on it being recorded traditionally. Ultimately, I was encouraged by a new DIY spirit in contemporary jazz, where electronic music production techniques are fully integrated in the recording and production of great new contemporary jazz music.”

Clear Path Ensemble

Clear Path Ensemble
is the neu project and brainchild of Wellington jazz and sonic arts graduate Cory Champion. Also producing left field house and techno under the name Borrowed CS, Clear Path Ensemble is Cory’s first offering to the jazz gods. Having spent many years playing drums alongside some of New Zealand’s most talented musicians in the revered Wellington jam session scene this release is an amalgamation of the energy & spirit that the Wellington scene encompasses.

This album contains no booklet.