'Tokyo Tree EP' by Magro

The release of 'Tokyo Tree' via the hallowed halls on Sonar Kollektiv marks a staggering - yet inevitable - achievement and milestone for drummer and producer, Mathis "Magro" Grossman.

The Berlin-based artist has long proved himself as a veritable force amongst today's genre fluid perspectives on music.  As someone who wears the tag of 'jazz artist' just as comfortably as 'hip-hop artist', Magro's independent releases to date help paint the picture of a progressive and innovative artist always seeking new ways to push himself and his music forward.  

Through his incredible Beat Tape series to his standalone singles to his extensive work with world class R&B singer-songwriter Leona Berlin to his own two full-length releases - 'Trippin' (2021) and 'II' (2022) - Magro more than just straddles the line in between various styles and genres; he dives right in, wearing his influences on his sleeve and simply places his trust within his own unhindered perspective of music-making. 

To have fallen onto the radar of the revered Sonar Kollektiv is unquestionably a phenomenal distinction and absolutely a warranted one.  Magro's musical philosophies are very much in line with the Jazzanova-founded label who, outside of their own releases, have also been responsible for projects by electronic music artist Feiertag, vocalist Pete Josef and alternative soul band The KBCS amongst a litany of other free-thinking and far-ranging artists.

'Tokyo Tree' serves as a worthy (re)introduction of sorts for listeners unfamiliar with previous Magro offerings.  But in that vein, the project also serves as an excellent and logical progression of his music releases thus far.  With 'Trippin' and 'II', Magro introduced darker, broader and more experimental sonic landscapes than he had ever dabbled in before and 'Tokyo Tree', again, seems to be a thrilling extension to that established groundwork.

The eight-track EP veers comfortably across nu-jazz territory, pulsing hip-hop production and twinges of electronica influences that all seamlessly blend into each other.  Musically, there's something of an homage to the spirit and vigor of club culture that is infectious and again serves as something of its own motivational force within Magro's music.

With now extensive European touring credentials to his name, the voracious live performer can cite having performed around Germany, London, Amsterdam, Aberdeen, Bratislava and Estonia, demonstrative of the deserved successes that the prolific artist has been able to boast over the last two years.  'Tokyo Tree' rounds this period off nicely and continues to position Magro as an imperative voice for today's music scene.