This one was an unexpected treat - two of our favourite contemporary musicians, Finn Rees & SHOLTO coming together and collaborating on a double dose of celestial, cinematic alchemy. At Mr Bongo we are massive admirers of drummer, musician, and producer SHOLTO (Oscar Robertson). His two albums on Funk Night Records and DeepMatter Records, had both been highlights of their respective years.

We'd gotten to know Oscar and sent him a few records. Included in the package was Australian pianist-composer Finn Rees' debut album, Dawn Is A Melody, which was one of our favourite releases on Mr Bongo in 2024. In Oscar's words 'For me it was a standout modern jazz record - encapsulating a spiritual / hazy dreamy soundscape which hugely resonated with me. Glissando keys and harp with lush melodies, I was instantly intrigued."

The pair started following each other online and as luck would have it, Finn was staying in London for the summer season, so they arranged to meet.

The pair instantly clicked and said it felt like they'd known each other for years. After 40 minutes of chatting, they started to jam. 'Love In Memory' and 'Bluebell' were recorded over two days - a track a day in Oscar's SFJ studios. The results were as lush, nostalgic and textured as you'd expect from these two brilliant musicians, with a classical feel inspired by artists such as Piero Piccioni, Piero Umiliani, and Henry Mancini.

So here we have it, a chance collaborative project built on two musicians' mutual respect for each other's outputs. The result is truly breathtaking.