Image: RJ Fernandez
It’s been two decades since Polar Bear first emerged onto the UK jazz scene, gaining critical acclaim for their genre-defying sound and ushering in a radical new wave of experimentation within the genre. Drawing from a whole array of influences, including punk, avant-garde, and even electronica, listeners were won over by the raw and rhythmic energy that the group would become well known for. So, in a welcome decision that will delight fans and new listeners alike, the acclaimed British jazz ensemble are reissuing two of their most celebrated albums on vinyl – for the very first time.
Led by drummer Sebastian Rochford and featuring the talents of Pete Wareham and Mark Lockheart on saxophones and Tom Herbert on double bass, 2004 saw the release of their debut album, Dim Lit. Laying the foundation for what was to come, the album combined free improvisation alongside an array of genre influences, explosive rhythmic energy and hypnotising grooves. Only a year later, and the ensemble’s follow up album Held On The Tips Of Fingers released in 2005, earning them their first Mercury Prize nomination, as well as documenting the official addition of Leafcutter John on electronics. It was this album that propelled the band to the forefront of public attention, and gained them a spot in Jazzwise’s 100 Jazz Albums That Shook the World and The Guardian’s 1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die.
Now, with both albums coming to vinyl, listeners can not only pay tribute to the band’s monumental legacy, but also experience their music in a whole new way. Whether you’re revisiting their work or discovering it for the first time, these editions promise a richly immersive listening experience and a renewed appreciation for a group that helped to rewrite the rules of contemporary jazz.
