Emergence Collective to release new album, Chapel, in February

Photo: Jam Burrito

There’s wonderful news from Emergence Collective, the supergroup comprising a vibrant cast of some of the most masterful improvisers from Sheffield and the North of England. The collective are ready to release the follow up to Fly Tower, which was one of our Album Picks of 2023. Entitled Chapel, the album was captured live at the Samuel Worth Chapel, an intimate venue in the heart of Sheffield General Cemetery. As usual, their music is entirely improvised and informed by the place they play in. The chapel setting steered the collective towards a more ambient and contemplative atmosphere. Emergence Collective also cite various influences, including Steve Reich, Brian Eno, Max Richter and Pharoah Sanders, with the ten members’ shared background in folk, jazz, experimental, early and contemporary classical music tying it all together. Unlike their previous record, which featured two percussionists, the rhythmic parts on Chapel come only from melodic instruments.

Chapel will see the light of day on February 5th through Redundant Span and ahead of it they have share ‘SWC-1’, an utterly beautiful and beguiling track clocking in at over 20 minutes. The single is offered with a live accompanying video and you can watch it below.

Emergence Collective to release new album, Fly Tower, later this month

Live performance of Fly Tower

Emergence Collective is a supergroup of sorts comprised of some of the most masterful improvisers out of Sheffield and the North of England. They bring a diverse sonic palette and sensibility to their music that reflects their musical backgrounds in folk, jazz, experimental, early and contemporary classical music. With a revolving cast of up to fifteen musicians, their music is completely improvised and partly informed by where they play, “with just the starting key a deciding factor”, as the press release explains, “and little to no amplification is used in performances to preserve the natural sound of the instruments”, both ancient and modern.

Emergence Collective have announced the release of their new album, Fly Tower, captured live at the Abbeydale Picturehouse Fly Tower in Sheffield, a reverberant space, which is something they take into consideration when playing. Fly Tower will see the light of day on June 30th through Redundant Span Records and ahead of it they have shared the enthralling, gorgeous, mysterious and mesmerizing lead track, ‘S7 1FS-3’.  Press play and immerse yourself in the realm of their magic.