The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2021 - Issue 30

NEW SINGLE RELEASES Samantha Morgan checks out several recent and soon-to-be-released singles covering various genres of music. bitenewmusic Images courtesy of Satellite414 via Johny Pitts ollowing the release of his exhilarating album Bring Backs, London-based producer, pianist, bandleader and MC, Alfa Mist released a new EP, Two For Mistake via ANTI with a physical 10-inch vinyl due for release on 18 March 2022. The EP was recorded live at the multi-talented musi- cian’s studio session from London’s renowned Metropolis Studios earlier in 2021 with tracks such as ‘Bumper Cars’, an extended live version of the Bring Backs album track ‘Last Card’ and a cover of Freddie Hubbard’s 1971 classic ‘First Light’. Both ‘Bumper Cars’ and ‘First Light’ feature Alfa’s virtuoso band with the addition of a full string quartet, taking the irresistible fusion of soulful grooves, new jazz and left-field beats to new heights. The new EP arrives ahead of the musician’s upcoming tours, with recently added dates that include his debut US shows. The run will prove to be the first time fans will be able to hear tracks from Bring Backs and Two For Mistake in a live setting. The Bring Backs album written and produced by Alfa marked his first release for ANTI and is the most detailed exploration of his upbringing in musical form, one which has resonated with the audiences to the tune of 8 million streams to date. Its nine tracks of groove-based intricacies, lyrical solipsism and meandering fragmentations are tied together by a remarkable poem written by Hilary Thomas expressing the sensuous realities of building community in a new country. Over the past five years, Alfa has steadily established himself as one of the most dynamic and consistent talents to emerge from London’s widely celebrated jazz reformation. His longstanding affiliations have included breakout star Jordan Rakei which helped the musician carve his lane, following a distinctly outsid- er’s approach and free from the trappings of traditional musical training. Having arrived at jazz in search of samples for his teenage hip- hop productions, Alfa eventually taught himself piano by ear and quickly developed a unique style, with hip-hop rhythms driving throughout the improvisational forms, all bound by a pervasive sense of melody. His first three solo albums Nocturne (2015), Antiphon (2017) and Structuralism (2019) were all released on his label Sekito and were interspersed with countless collaborations and side projects. Alfa Mist will be performing live dates in the UK for the rest of this year and then in Europe and the USA from January to May 2022. https://alfamist.co.uk Alfa Mist - First Light