'System D' by Biomania

'System D' marks the new album release from French quintet Biomania which finds its home on the Asta Hiroki-helmed Folded Music's sub-label, Most Least.

While Folded Music's sublime take on downtempo electronic music continues to flourish through sensational new music releases by Hiroki himself, Tristan de Liege and Catch92, Most Least continue to have similarly become hugely adept with their presentation of progressive and innovative jazz most recently captured by Ryan Wheless' space travelers union and their enthralling full-length, 'the trials of bunny john'.

Like the space travelers union project, the new release from Biomania serves as a perfect album to encapsulate so many of Most Least's lush musical tendencies and ambition with 'System D' expertly managing to introduce these elements of nu-jazz interweaved within a hip-hop aesthetic across the album's ten compositions.  

Initially conceived as a solo project by saxophonist Thierry Lemaitre - a musician whose sax has graced projects by Jalapeno Records' Ephemerals, Jimi Needles and Marvellous - the project's scope ultimately expanded to incorporate additional musicians who have all contributed to rounding the Biomania unit out into a beautifully conceived and well-rounded sound.

These exquisite selections showcase the band's expansive styles and disciplines across the ever-broadening scope of contemporary jazz.  Boasting their affections for the hip-hop-inspired productions of Jay Dee to the more contemporary stylings of, say, Thundercat or Terrace Martin; Biomania infuse all of these inspired elements into a series of unique and distinctive compositions that further solidify their own remarkable voice within today's jazz music scene.

With tracks ranging from more up-tempo numbers like the vibrant 'Devils' or 'Dinosaur', tracks like 'Dare' and 'Deepness' offer more intimate alternatives with many of the tracks punctuated by such warm keys that really point to an infectious groove-based, neo-soul styling that adorns the music throughout.

'System D' delivers as such a captivating and multi-faceted project that joyously embraces forward-thinking approaches to jazz.  A real delight and another release to showcase the ever-expanding catalogue of Most Least Records.