MIKE DE SOUZA
CHRYSALIS

RELEASE DATE: Nov 3, 2023

UPC/EAN: 8427328 436588

TRACK LISTING:

Clementine Clouds 07:33 ES7712365801

Looking Up 05:43 ES7712365801

Gently Wake 08:55 ES7712365801

Paper Plane Pilot 06:44 ES7712365801

Chrysalis 07:33 ES7712365801

Headbanger Blissout 07:09 ES7712365801

November 2023 marks the release of Chrysalis, a bold and innovative follow up to debut Slow Burn (2019) from guitarist and composer Mike De Souza. Incorporating the talents of long-standing collaborators Jay Davis (drums) and Huw V Williams (bass) plus the addition of Alec Harper (tenor sax) and Rupert Cox (piano/synth), Mike has formed a quintet that performs long-form guitar-led compositions exploring a range of musical moods and landscapes, bolstered by captivating and virtuosic improvisations by some of London’s most highly regarded musicians.

Chrysalis consists of six long-form compositions in which solo passages connect composed sections with the unique interpretations of each soloist breathing life into each piece and allowing the story to unfold and develop around them. The title track is built around a repeating 8-bar ostinato which serves as an almost hypnotic constant as accompanying musical variations evolve, evoking imagery of the chrysalis state and process.

By contrast ‘Headbanger Blissout’ is a dynamic, emboldening track with a driving energy, and utilises overdriven guitar, synth pads, octave piano hooks, and power- chord riffs, giving the impression of a heavily produced rock track, whilst being performed almost entirely live in a single take. Likewise, the folk-rock inspired ‘Looking Up’ is a dynamic yet laid-back ballad that employs Fender Rhodes Piano, as well as an improvised synth solo from Rupert Cox to end, exploring melodic loops at changing speeds and timbres to create a hypnotic effect.

The meditative, subtle opener ‘Clementine Clouds’ utilises warm synth patches and features another mesmeric solo from the piano of Rupert Cox, whilst the sax solo at the end is supported by Mike’s guitar utilising a ‘freeze pedal’ to create ethereal and sustaining chords. The developing musical chemistry between the leader’s guitar and saxophonist Alec Harper’s distinctive, melodic, sound can also be glimpsed at the end of ‘Gently Wake’, which is the longest track on the album with more than 4 minutes of composed exposition before the first solo.

The opening riff to guitar feature ‘Paper Plane Pilot’ was inspired by witnessing guitarist Reinier Baas employ a similar technique of left-handed hammer-ons combined with a plucked clave rhythm in the right-hand resulting in a polyrhythmic effect. The track also features Mike’s unique style of guitar pyrotechnics, reminiscent of Stanley Jordan’s ‘touch’ technique, but used to create wide-ranging, and cascading runs, as well as harmonised riffs achieved using 2-handed hammer-on techniques.

Chrysalis is an album of contrast. Fierce moments of high energy, introspective periods of calm and impressionistic beauty, blend with multiple melodic layers and juxtaposition between acoustic and electronic sound taking listeners on a journey through the range of moods and musical landscapes on this record and allows them to find their own meaning in the uniquely improvised moments captured between these five exceptional musicians.

Press for Slow Burn

“Magnificent” - Chris Philips (Jazz FM)

“The writing is intelligent and multi-faceted” - The Jazz Mann “An impressive show of musical innovation” - All About Jazz

PERSONNEL:

Mike De Souza - electric guitar

Alec Harper - tenor saxophone

Rupert Cox - piano, synths

Huw Williams - double bass

Jay Davis - drums

CREDITS:

Recorded at Fish Factory Studios, North London on the 25th of August 2021

Recording engineered by Benedic Lamdin

Mixed by Benedic Lamdin

Mastered by Frank Merritt at The Carvery Studio

All compositions by Mike De Souza

Artwork and design by Adriana Jaroslavsky Produced by Mike De Souza

Executive Producer: Jordi Pujol