S-Pazz - Birth Of Light EP (incl. Tour-Maubourg Remix) [Pont Neuf Records]

Format: 12" in printed sleeve.
CAT: PN038

Following a debut EP praised for its freshness and audacity, S-Pazz returns with Birth of Light, a second release that fully confirms the potential of the Parisian duo. Fusing elements of house, jazz, broken beat and ambient, the record shows them refining their musical identity with a more intimate and introspective approach, yet always deeply rhythmic and luminous. Composed by four hands during a moment of personal transition, the EP feels like a rite of passage where music becomes a space of union, resilience and imagination.

"This EP reflects a great transition in our lives, as it was written during Nathan's move from the apartment we shared and where we also had our studio. Despite the change, we managed to preserve the unique creative universe that defines S-Pazz's identity. We deliberately infused it with a wide range of influences, spanning different eras and cultures. 'Birth of Light' builds on the foundations we laid with our first EP: creating music at the crossroads of our respective influences, always driven by our love for cinematic soundscapes." — S-Pazz

The opening track, “Ce Matin-Là,” unfolds with a dreamlike atmosphere, guided by lush string arrangements by Nathan's father, a double bassist who had previously been sampled on their first EP. "We wanted to get closer to those pieces that bridge electronic and orchestral music, like what 4Hero, Bonobo, or even Air have done," explains S-Pazz. The track also receives a reinterpretation from Tour-Maubourg, who delivers a deep house remix with bossa nova nuances, bringing a warm, summery, and organic tone that expands the EP's globetrotting spirit.

With “Together,” the Parisian duo pays homage to the UK broken beat scene through a syncopated and generous track, where analog synthesizers and live grooves coexist with a subtle balance. "We wrote it in the summer of 2024. It combines a lot of sampling and a growing passion for synthesizers that we've developed over time. For the percussion, we drew a lot of inspiration from producers like Da Lata, 4Hero, and Chaos in the CBD."

“My Heart” captures the EP’s dancefloor-oriented soul, a hybrid of broken beat, jazz, and funk. Warm horns, a Prophet 5 bass doubled with a Rhodes, and an ethereal vocal connecting the groove to emotion. "It’s a mix of jazz, dub, and funk. Club music that speaks to both the body and the heart."

The result of a year-long process, “Bees Die After Stinging” brings together Afro-influenced 6/8 rhythms, field recordings of beehives, and meticulously crafted jazz arrangements. The illusion of a live band is carefully built in the studio. "We are particularly proud of this track; it truly captures the meeting point between our two musical worlds."

The closing track, “Ocean Reflections,” deliberately breaks with the classic house structure and adopts a more free and ambient form. It carries the EP towards a contemplative and fluid ending. “We wanted to close the EP with something special, without a four-on-the-floor kick, but maintaining a groove that invites introspection. We invited our friend Claire Grunenberger to sing, and Grégoire added a jazz solo as a tribute to the early days of St Germain.”

S-Pazz is a project formed by Nathan and Grégoire, close friends and creative partners both on and off stage. Their music reflects an unusual intersection of jazz, house, broken beat, and narrative electronica, shaped by their distinct backgrounds: Grégoire is a multi-instrumentalist with jazz training, while Nathan is a DJ and beatmaker influenced by hip-hop and raised in a family of musicians. Their debut EP Tales of Dancing Waters (2024) quickly caught the attention of listeners and curators, accumulating hundreds of thousands of streams and entering playlists alongside artists such as Berlioz, Barry Can’t Swim, Dublon, and Tour-Maubourg. Now, with Birth of Light, the duo takes a decisive step in their evolution, laying the foundations for a deeply personal, immersive, and decidedly luminous musical language.