Heliocentric by space travelers union

space travelers union return with the fantastic new single ‘Heliocentric’ taken from their forthcoming album due later this year.

After the fast-paced creation of their debut modern jazz record ‘the trials of bunny john’ (conceived and recorded in just one week at EastWest Studios in LA) the collective have not rested, sharing stages with legends like Echo and the Bunnymen, and hot current acts Glass Beams (Ninja Tune), and BALTHVS.

Their album won plaudits from a host of tastemakers and industry names like: Geordie Greep (Black MIDI), Jamie Reynolds (Klaxons), Deb Grant, Tom Ravenscroft, Emily Pilbeam, Huw Stephens (BBC6Music), France Musique, FIP all weighing in with praise, sending the band’s reputation far beyond their native Arizona homeland. With their second album they follow up elegantly and logically on the same trajectory - epitomising the idea of refinement without losing the spark.

Opening with an intimate bass harmonic groove in a compound time signature, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had a lost Jaco Pastorius or Weather Report recording upon first listen. Swinging drums join the fray as the band lock in and go through all the gears as the piece gradually elevates until it’s right in your face. Showcasing the collective’s aptitude for finding melodious and intriguing pockets of inspiration in uncommon time signatures and boasting fantastic musicianship across the board. Notably bandleader Ryan Wheless on saxophone stands out -effortlessly swooping from whispering, warm, soft lines in your ear to bombastic soloing over a heavy groove at the end.

Composed by Colin McIlrath, “Heliocentric” draws on the melodic sensibilities of Brian Blade but filters them through a more rock-influenced lens. It’s spacious and grounded at the same time, with a slow-burning intensity that unfolds over the course of the tune.
Bandleader Ryan Wheless shares more thoughts:
“Colin’s writing always brings something unexpected, and this one pulls the band into a slightly different orbit. It pushes us into new territory while still feeling rooted in the shared language we’ve built over time.”

Beyond the music, the gorgeous album cover artwork (created by Asta Hiroki and Gianluca Cardinale) mirrors the record’s juxtaposition of feeling both inherently vintage and modern simultaneously, with a Bauhaus-inspired series that has been subtly modernised. Fitting the concept by drawing from an artistic school of thinking that came to widespread popularity in a similar time as jazz, with its focus on asymmetrical, abstract, and angular design that complements the music perfectly.

creative music collective- featured on BBC, FIP, WorldwideFM. @spacetravelersunion

spacetravelersunion.com