Education And Recreation

Description

The unique sound of the Australian quintet Surprise Chef is inspired by 70s film music, the funk side of jazz, and the samples that form the basis of hip-hop. They push the boundaries of instrumental soul/funk with their refined approach honed through countless hours spent in the studio. Hailing from the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, the band won over their first fans with their two initial albums: All News is Good News and Daylight Savings. Now signed to Big Crown Records, the group joins a roster of other artists who have influenced their music since their formation in 2017. Surprise Chef consists of Lachlan Stuckey on guitar, Jethro Curtin on keyboards, Carl Lindeberg on bass, Andrew Congues on drums, and Hudson Whitlock, the latest member, who handles a bit of everything from percussion to composition to production. The album features punchy drums, heavy groove keyboards, guitar rhythms that wouldn’t be out of place on a Studio One record, and flute lines reminiscent of a Blue Note session. Coming from a region where instrumental soul/funk music was relatively unheard of, they were able to develop their sound and approach in a sort of creative isolation, with a small circle of friends and musicians feeding off each other's ideas. On Education & Recreation, from the overwhelming intro of "Suburban Breeze" to the soft, floating bop of "Spring's Theme," Surprise Chef has crafted an album that takes you through peaks and valleys of emotion and provides a vibrant soundtrack that draws you deeper into your imagination.