Lay-Far Dance Orchestra - Skybreak LP [In-Beat-Ween Music]

Format: LP in gatefold sleeve.
CAT: NBTWN020

International dance music heavyweight, producer, and DJ Alexander Lay-Far returns with a powerful new chapter: Lay-Far Dance Orchestra (LFDO), a fully developed live band project that reconnects him with his jazz-funk and fusion DNA, while propelling dance music forward with an unmistakable groove, great musicianship, and strong emotional charge.

Formed in early 2024 alongside experienced jazz musicians Michail Fotchenkov (drums), Viktor Glazunov (percussion), Timur Nekrasov (saxophone, flute), and Maxim Glonti (keyboards), LFDO is no exercise in nostalgia. With Lay-Far at the helm as bassist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and sound engineer, the orchestra has already garnered attention with explosive live performances, reinventing Lay-Far classics, and now presents its debut album, “Skybreak,” featuring entirely new and original material written and produced by Lay-Far alongside his bandmates and luxury guest artists such as Lipelis, Antoha MC, and Seven Davis Jr.

This work marks a departure from the predominantly electronic sound of Lay-Far's previous solo albums, opting for live instrumentation recorded on analog tape and naturally bridging Jazz, Library Music, Disco-Funk, House, Broken Beat, and Drum’n’Bass. “Skybreak” is dynamic, passionate, spiritual, cinematic, playful, heartfelt, life-affirming, dreamy, and deeply romantic. Ultimately, there is something profoundly romantic about recording and releasing music like this in these times.

“Take Flight (Part 1)” opens the album in grand style. It takes us on a beautifully orchestrated journey, mixing the sensuality of Library Music with high-octane Jazz-Funk and raw b-boy breaks, driven by stunning flute and Rhodes solos from Timur Nekrasov and Maxim Glonti. This sonic symbiosis between “beauty and beats” becomes increasingly evident as the album progresses.

It's time for “Aquarius Love,” created with the inimitable artist and vocalist Seven Davis Jr. (Secret Angels, Ninja Tune). In this composition, cinematic soul and heavy jazz meet the restless energy of live drum & bass, accompanied by deep and emotional vocals: a timeless sound combined with an equally eternal message about love and life.

Next up is “Head In The Clouds,” a track for an imaginary romantic comedy, an ode to all dreamers: sweet, light, naive, and comforting. Space-Disco-Funk at its finest.

“Where You From” is a fiery piece of Soulful House with strong Afro-Latin influences recorded in collaboration with Lipelis. It's full of sunshine, joy, and passion. Its irresistible rhythm is accented by a funky octave bass, wah-wah guitar, catchy piano riffs, a guitar solo by Lipelis, and a seemingly light-hearted conscious message performed by Lay-Far and Maryag. Summer is here!

The album then takes an unexpected turn with “The Harp of Boom,” which at first glance seems like a classic Boom-Bap banger. Yes, it sounds loud, raw, and rough, but it gradually evolves into something delicately moving and deeply soulful thanks to a memorable flute melody and a lush string arrangement. Definitely recorded with humor and irony.

Then comes “Feel The Moment,” a remarkable collaboration with one of the most recognizable and distinctive Russian artists: singer, trumpeter, and cultural icon Antoha MC. It's a positive, hopeful, life-affirming, and bittersweet song. An elegant excursion into the sound of Brit-Funk and Soviet Jazz-Fusion, drawing inspiration from names like Atmosfear, Light Of The World, or Soviet bands like Allegro and Arsenal, but reinterpreting those influences through the modern broken beat perspective of West London.

The spectacular musical journey continues with “Take Flight (Part 2),” focusing on deep and infectious jazz-funk groove, heavy beats, rolling percussion, and the glory of solo instruments: saxophone and flute by Timur Nekrasov, demonstrating a wide emotional range from thoughtful and lyrical to restless and almost fierce. Perfect for freestyle dancing.

As the album approaches its end, expect the vibrant musical triptych “Soul Constant,” mixing the deep and sensual atmosphere of spiritual jazz with heavy syncopated drum’n’bass rhythms by Michail Fotchenkov, lush orchestration, expressive saxophone solos, and a close that can only be described as “sonic ecstasy.” It's breathtaking.

As a pleasant bonus, an exclusive version of “Where You From” by Lipelis himself is included, taking it into dub territories, further reinforcing the rhythm section and enriching the song with his characteristic playful synthesizers and dreamy guitar solos for maximum effect—and appeal.