Gregory Uhlmann

Gregory Uhlmann’s ‘Extra Stars’ is a fluent and fluid album of thirteen brief, breezy, deceptively light tracks that flow over diverse territories while retaining their identity. An album obsessed with natural processes — some organic and cellular, others more cosmic — it showcases Uhlmann as guitarist, arranger, composer and improviser, his musical curiosity working in tandem with his expansive imagination.

Gregory Uhlmann shares “Burnt Toast,” the second single from Extra Stars (out March 6 via International Anthem), demonstrating his distinctive ability to transform guitar tones in real time. The track moves through warring syncopations, synthetic glissandos, and stereo warbles, showcasing the rhythm-forward approach that defines his forthcoming album. Watch him performing live at International Anthem Studios in Chicago.

On How You Been, SML perfect their collaging technique. Tracks sound more complex and intuitive, and they instinctively work a groove, moving from space-age synths to gritty, organic minimalism. Variety is key, from creeping percussion to soft-focus krautrock. This is improvised music at its most engaging and immediate. SML have created another special album, one that forges bright new pathways in American jazz.

Los Angeles supergroup SML have shared “Chicago Four,” the latest single (accompanied by a video) from their highly anticipated second album, How You Been, set for release on November 7th via International Anthem. Continuing their unique method of sculpting studio albums from live improvisations, the track uses a recording from Chicago’s legendary Empty Bottle as its foundation.

SML, the LA-based quintet of Anna Butterss, Jeremiah Chiu, Josh Johnson, Booker Stardrum, and Gregory Uhlmann, is set to release their second album, How You Been, on November 7th. The album’s lead single, “Taking Out the Trash,” and an animated video are out now. The new work expands on the group’s unique approach to crafting hyperrealist, collectivist music from live improvisations.

Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes is proof that you don’t have to forsake traditional aesthetic notions of melody to make something experimental…this is music deep and alluring enough to get lost in and sparse enough to find yourself in. 

While Small Medium Large, the exploratory kosmische jazz debut from SML (Anna Butterss, Jeremiah Chiu, Josh Johnson, Booker Stardrum & Gregory Uhlmann) contains unexpected multitudes, even at its most complex moments, it remains bright and airy, reflecting an impressive and sincere unity to their playing.