Elegy is the ninth studio album from boundary-pushing collective Sound Liberation.

By Graeme Smith

The jazzy and offbeat collection of thirteen tracks kicks off with the horn-heavy meanderings of Source. There’s a funkiness to it that welcomes the listener in, even those who would consider themselves to be jazz-sceptical. Just as you get the measure of it, a noodling guitar solo adds another dimension to the composition.

Dealing With It takes things in a theatrical and psychedelic direction, with soulful vocal layers delivering poetic, melancholic lyrics. Lyrically, it’s a heartfelt tribute to Sound Liberation’s leader Gene Pritsker’s best friend, Sean Satin, who passed away in 2024.

Title track Elegy opens with some meditative strummed guitar and horns full of longing.

Elsewhere, we get operatic in The Cauldron and closer Brahms Infinity, notable for their slam poetry interjections, and funky in Petrichor and Knuf Funk. There’s glitchy hip-hop in Strive, and dreaminess in Portrait in my Locket, Jocose Flow and Alpha. unCharted Deconstructed II has a playfulness that makes it a late highlight. TMI strips things back before launching into a swinging composition.

A collaborative record, we get guest appearances from Chanda Rule, David Banks, Adriana Valdés, Robert C. Ford, Oliver Marec, Noizepunk, Criminal Cello, The Pallbearer, Lara St. John, Peter Oswald, Charles Coleman, Imelda O’Reilly, Franz Hackl, Paul Mack, Erik. T Johnson, the late David Gotay, and more.

Founded by Gene Pritsker, Sound Liberation follows the bold musical philosophy of “ending the segregation of sound vibration.” We’re fans of them here on the blog, having previously shared their music in 2024.

Elegy is out now and you can give it a listen below.