Departure Lounge is ready for take off
Posted: Mon Nov 2, 2009 7:27 pm

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They are some of Christchurch's top players, featuring six musicians with a reputation for excellence in search of the good groove. The band is Departure Lounge, and they're ready to ride with their first studio album.

Departure Lounge will release their second album In Session on November 3, serving up ten crisp musical biscuits of psychedelic groove. In Session captures Departure Lounge's solid reputation for soulful, mood-swinging melodies and a dynamic live performance that is a must-see for fans of progressive music.

It was, after all, a celebrated live performance that initiated the journey of Departure Lounge when Grenell collected some of Christchurch's best jazz musicians for the 2005 Christchurch International Jazz Festival - a performance that was so electrifying that the recording was released as their first album a year later, Departure Lounge - Live.

Since then the band has developed and matured its sound, and In Session is what awaits along with a summer tour of New Zealand.

The line-up is led by Grenell on guitar, who released his solo album Moving On in 2008 to critical success, and features drummer Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight, Golden Horse), bassist Johnny Lawrence (Solaa), Cameron Pearce on trumpet (head of Chch Jazz School), saxophonist Chris Burke, pianist Darren Pickering, and the percussion duo of Sum Suraweera and Kurt Dyer (Solaa).

Joining the band as guests on the album are vocalists Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle), soul star in-the-making Mark Vanilau, and new recruit Roslen Langton (LA Mitchell). In Session was mixed by electronica pioneer The Nomad at his Fresh Produce studio in Melbourne, mastered by Grammy winner George Lambert of Massive Masters in the UK, and will be distributed by Border music in NZ. This will be Grenells seventh album released on his independent record label Central Records based in Christchurch.

It all adds up to an album with a damn-good groove from this exceptionally talented group of musicians. Here's what the critics said about Departure Lounge Live:

"Departure Lounge is an incredible instrumental ensemble and they seem to be telepathic in terms of dynamic ensemble playing, interplay and groove." - NZ Musician Magazine

"Grenell has gathered together a hugely talented array of Kiwi musicians for Departure Lounge. They all play with a great deal of technical dexterity and skill without becoming bogged down in traditional excesses of jazz." - Christchurch Press

Departure Lounge: In Session

1. Angryman (sell, sell, sell)
2. Ecuador
3. Between the Sheets ft. Mark Vanilau
4. Interlude
5. Forbidden Love
6. Man I Used to be ft. Mara TK
7. Intergalactic
8. Do Whatever ft. Mark Vanilau
9. A-Rock
10. Sienna

Departure Lounge NZ Tour

Leigh, North Auckland
November 6 @ Leigh Sawmill Cafe, 9pm with special guest Mark Vanilau. $10 door

Auckland
November 7 @ Khuja, 10pm with special guest Mark Vanilau, OG dj Set with Mc Switch. $10 door

Christchurch
November 14 @ Al's Bar, 10pm with special guests. $10 door

Onekaka, Golden Bay
January 2 @ Mussel Inn, Onekaka

Marahau, Abel Tasman National Park
January 3 @ Park Cafe, Marahau

Parihaka, Taranaki
January 9 @ Parihaka Peace Festival

For more information:
www.myspace.com/centralrecords
www.myspace.com/departureloungenz

RE: Departure Lounge is ready for take off
Posted: Sun Aug 8, 2010 11:14 pm

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