Cosmic Link - Cosmic Link

High Noon

£17.98

Format: LP
Catalogue No.: HNLP004
Release Date: 24 Nov 2023
Genre: Jazzy Soul

"A quietly funky collection that repays repeated play by creating a mesmeric, almost hypnotic, cocoon to lose yourself in" Echoes

Examining our relationship with the cosmos as well as more intimate liaisons closer to home; new transatlantic future soul duo Cosmic Link are set to release their eponymous debut album on 24th November.

The duo consists of Florida based Jay Myztroh and Bristol based producer Ben Dubuisson, best known for the Hundred Strong project. Citing influences of Erykah Badu, Prince, Alice Coltrane, Stevie Wonder and Esperanza Spalding; the album crosses cosmic soul/RnB, low-end weighted hip hop, and conscious jazz. While the musical vibrations lay down a groove on a sensory level, the lyrics prompt deeper subconscious thought.

Under a “Cosmic” header, side one of the album starts with ‘Let It Go’, a song about releasing the things that no longer serve you in your life, before exploring meditation (‘Quiet Time’), karma, and responsibility in the way you live your life (‘Metaphysical’).

Side two of the album is grouped with the theme “Link” and as narrative, explores the evolution of a relationship: ‘Cellphone’ expresses the desire to be close to someone, ‘Shoot’ is the introduction to the courting stage, and ‘Show U Love’ is a request to take a step into a committed relationship.

“All of these songs are personal,” says Jay. “They explore either my experiences or are written to me as understandings to help me navigate this plane of existence. The personal nature of the music is what makes it universal to all humans”.

The overall theme of the album is summed up in the lyrics of the closing title track, “Our motion is perpetual/together we move/at the speed of life/ intertwined by our timelines/which coincide”.

Jay explains, “There is no separating the all from the source. With all living things being products of the Cosmos, we are forever linked to it. We all share a source, a timeline, a planet, air, a sun etc. We are linked by simply being and doing the things beings do”.

Introduced by mutual artist friends, the catalyst for their collaboration was the 2017 album 'Black Diamonds' by Jay's previous project Stono Echo, produced by the late, great Paten Locke. Over the course of a few years they began remotely exchanging music and lyrics, building a catalogue of finished tracks. During this time, Myztroh was also completing his Masters degree in choral conducting that focused on discovering and promoting compositions from the African Diaspora. Run by Ben Dubuisson, High Noon Music has been based in Bristol since the early 2000s, releasing records by artists including Ben’s own Hundred Strong, plus Boca 45, Joseph Malik, Kali Phoenix, One Cut, Mr Fantastic, and Numskullz.

Tracklist:
1. Let It Go
2. The Infinite
3. Quiet Time
4. Karma
5. Metaphysical
6. The Beat Goes
7. Cellphone
8. Shoot - Remix
9. Show U Love
10. A Gift Universal
11. Reality
12. Cosmic Link