We’ve been enjoying the soulful style of Nick Marks’ jazz ever since he released his EP: Cinematic Chromatics Vol I. He describes his music as a type of “sonic narrative” — each song with a visual in mind. His aim is to provide listeners with a soundtrack to their day. His music is rooted in the traditional craft and instrumentation that you would expect from the genre, but with a twist; ear-candy hooks, lush jazz harmonies, expansive arrangements, latin flavors, hip-hop beats, and always a layer of electronic that makes the genre feel fresh.
Since originally being introduced to his music, we’ve had the pleasure to invite Nick to take over our Jazz Underground series as the resident artists as well as see his series, Cinematic Chromatics, grow into a trilogy of EPs (the latest of which, Cinematic Chromatics Vol III. has just been released last week).
The lead single off his latest EP uses a metaphorical title that reflects the malleable and amorphous definitions of place, time and space. The track is called “Current Location” and it takes listeners to another corner of his sonic universe with wavy synths and laid-back basslines, before surprising us with a Latin horn section.
“Current Location” began in July 2022. Marks was walking home one day in Manhattan, and after listening to some of his favourite Brazilian artists (Jobim, Artur Verocai, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Jorge Ben, Egberto Gismonti), he felt inspired. “Once I got home,” says Marks, “I sat at my upright piano, and began singing and reharmonizing these ideas.” It’s a fairly standard process for Marks to start a project. First fleshing out the structure, form, and arrangements. With all the tracks of the Cinematic Chromatics universe taking either a large form ensemble track, or a jazzy/lo-fi inspired turn, Marks wanted to find something that was a half-way point between the two. He was also thrilled to invite new collaborators onto the track. Electric bassist CARRTOONS, virtuosic vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu and renowned Chilean pianist and songwriter, Benjamin Furman, all join the recording.
The result is a whole new sound for Nick, which I’m tourouly pleased to share with you here:
Nick Marks – Current Location (Vol. III)
