Peter Knight & TL; DR - Phosphenes [Earshift Music 136]

To be released via the Sydney-based Earshift Music label as their cat.no. 136 on November 6th, 2k26 is "Phosphenes", the latest collaboration album conceived by Australian composer and trumpet player Peter Knight, known and widely acknowledged for his oftentimes non-traditional and electro-acoustic approach to his instrument, alongside the trio known as TL; DR comprised of Helen Svoboda on bass and vocals, Theo Carbo on guitar and Quinn Knight on drums. Together they present a subsequently titled set of pieces named "Impression I - IV" over the course of this 44 minute spanning longplayer which Knight describes as a body of work he wanted to be '..useful...', '...accessible...' and a '...kind of record you want to put on while you're driving...' according to the accompanying info sheet. And this is exactly where they landed at with the tender, laid back and krautsy Future Jazz of the opening piece "Impression I" and its warped, reprocessed and slightly otherworldly vocals which evokes very distant memories of The Gentle People's "Journey" in its famed 'Aphex Twin Care Mix' variation in terms of its overall dreamlike atmosphere whilst at the same time bringing certain pieces of Norwegian (Nu) x (Scandi)Jazz ambassador Bugge Wesseltoft to mind before "Impression II" drifts off into deep, stripped down and probably Desert Blues-influenced territories with its distinct bass presence and ethereal Underwater DreamPop non-vocalisms before adding an ever thickening layer of fluttering electronics and sustained, longing trumpet motifs which build up to a sonically intense climax over time. Furthermore we see "Impression III" on a deeply nocturnal FutureJazz tip bordering on Ambient x Deep Listening Music with a rather tripped out overall aesthetic which might also speak to fans of Fatima Al Qadiri and her more conceptual work for a reason whereas "Impression IV" follows on similar, yet slightly more rhythm-oriented and Downbeat x ChillOut informed path for deep meditations and inward looking thought processes. This is deep for sure, yet probably a little too deep and soothing for late night highspeed cruises on the German Autobahn. Love this, listen to this, but please find another soundtrack for driving safely. Thank you.

Album artwork on Instagram!