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Vertaal Live x Jazz Revelations & The Vinyl Whistle

Writer's picture: Ben LeeBen Lee

We're excited to be hosting and interviewing jazz/hip-hop duo Vertaal at their instore performance at The Vinyl Whistle, Leeds, next Friday 1st October.

The duo are touring their first mixtape Paradigm Shifting with its initial April 2020 release coming out on Vertaal’s Empty Quarter Tribe imprint. The record was nominated for EP of 2020 by us in our annual awards - check out the full list of winners and nominations here.


The group then pursued a hard release on double vinyl this year with new mixes and tracks, with the initial numbered pressing on coloured vinyl selling out on release. Self-produced, recorded and mixed in their own homes, the record showcases the various tones and facets of Vertaal.


The album was supported by a single 'Kora' which we premiered for the band here.


We reviewed the full album earlier this year too - check it out here.


For the evening, we will be supported with a DJ set from esteemed, local selector Downtown Science (Andy Hickford) performing in between Vertaal's set and our interview with the group.

Vertaal

Coming from different social backgrounds albeit from the same town, Ajit Gill and Theo Howarth might have never crossed paths had it not been for a chance meeting when both were working as techs on tour. Finding a shared love of groove, nu-jazz, and broken beat quickly found them writing and recording together. The resulting burst of shared musical ideas traversing spiritual nu-jazz, Dilla-inspired hip-hop and neo-soul, gave birth to Vertaal, the duo developing a passion for the freedom and raw expression of the music. As a youngster living in the capital, Ajit was exposed to the contrasting musical worlds of East-Coast hip hop, d‘n’b and rave culture mixed with traditional music from his family’s Indian heritage. A fascination for complex rhythms and patterns developed, defining the unique style and beats he weaves into Vertaal’s sound.


Touring with an iconic disco band, Theo was mentored in live sound from a young age, meeting artists and producers which led to work in various studios whilst pursuing his own sound. Early Portico Quartet and Bonobo inspired an electronic project Triplet Code in which he developed a passion for writing and producing, developing a unique sonic footprint. He is currently working on a new solo record with J. Raise, Jr. Their day-jobs (both are producers, Theo is also a sound engineer and Ajit, a session drummer), have meant they are able to combine their skills to fashion an ever-shifting musical journey. For live gigs they are augmented by a fluctuating line-up of guest instrumentalists who change the flavour of every show, stretching and expanding the arrangements. This informs their studio journey as their catalogue is constantly re-evaluated, re-recorded and re-released as part of their unique journey as an ever-evolving band.

Vertaal have been a notable presence in capital over the last couple of years. Tipped as “ones to watch for 2019” by Jazz Re:freshed and for 2021 by BBC Introducing, Vertaal played an exclusive pick of sold out shows at prestigious venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Soho and the Jazz Café. They have also supported the likes of Mark Guiliana (David Bowie), & Pete Ray Biggin (Level 42) and finished off 2019 guesting for Richard Spaven at The Cambridge Jazz Festival.


Come on down for an evening full of nu-jazz, hip hop beats and good times!


Timings


7:00pm - 7:45pm Downtown Science DJ Set 7:45pm - 8:10pm Vertaal

8:10pm - 8:30pm Interview w/Jazz Revelations

8:30pm - 9:00pm Vertaal

9:00pm - 10:30pm Downtown Science DJ Set

 

Buy tickets for the evening here:


Join the Facebook event here:


Buy Paradigm Shifting here:


Follow Vertaal here:


Follow Downtown Science here:


Read our review of Paradigm Shifting here:


Listen to our premiere of 'Kora' here:

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