'The Shakedown' is Ed 'Tenderlonious' Cawthorne's debut LP and features a dream team of top talent he named the 22archestra, who he leads seamlessly throughout. Listeners are exposed to the full breadth of Cawthorne's technical and compositional skills, ranging from subtly meandering jazz, to hip hop, Afrobeat, Latin and exhilarating free form jazz.
The groups includes former Yussef Kamaal member Yussef Dayes on drums, Ruby Rushton bassist Fergus Ireland and producers Reginald Omas Mamode IV and Jeen Bassa on percussion.
The tracks include "SV Disco", a nod to the mighty Slum Village, is a chunk of sensually-contorted disco vibes that brings on full party mode instantaneously, with the slinky bass licks and pitch-bent synthesiser recalling Roy Ayres's blissed-out funk.
"Maria" showcases Ed's roots as sample-based producer, pulling influence from around the globe to create an undulating piece of flute-led Brazilian fusion that fans of Ruby Rushton will find familiar. The eastern-inspired embellishments raise the temperature further, whilst former Yussef Kamaal member Yussef Dayes' sizzling cymbals and shuffling snare work propel the track forwards, locking down a signature 22a groove.
"Yussef's Groove" kicks off with driving drums, and each of the 22archestra enter steadily, fully utilising their virtuosic power, switching between low-slung bass, chic open piano solos and hazy electric piano.
The 22archestra was conceived after Tenderlonious was invited to record at Abbey Road Studios. The whole crew was rounded-up and the album was recorded during a single 8 hour session - a testament to their musicianship and ability to nail a take.
Personnel: Ed 'Tenderlonious' Cawthorne (flute & synth), Hamish Balfour (keys), Fergus Ireland (bass), Yussef Dayes (drums), Reginald Omas Mamode IV, Jeen Bassa, Konrad (percussion)
Press:
"(8/10) Jazz scene standout...the sound is a startling delight thanks to Tender's ability to marshal his crew to his step." - DJ Mag
"This is 100 per cent live-instrumental jazz, but it's also unmistakably London club music, with its heart in Dingwalls, Plastic People (RIP) and anywhere else people really dance to sophisticated sounds...it's music for a proper party." - Mixmag
"In 2018, Cawthorne is one of the musicians blowing new life into the London jazz scene...Cawthorne's take on jazz is a hybrid, involving hefty infusions of hip hop and hip hop-derived styles, and like Kamaal Williams, he is at the beat-centric end of the new-jazz spectrum." - **** All About Jazz
"Standouts are many: the propulsive fusion of Maria. SV Disco, an ode to Dilla's group Slum Village, with its slinky clubfloor vibes and ferocious solo flute wig-out. Compelling stuff." - **** Evening Standard
