CHIP WICKHAM Vinyl & CDs

Review: These two tracks from Mike Bandoni and Chip Wickham have been a long time coming. The two stablemates from the 'Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band' have been discussing a collaboration for years and now; and it's finally in the bag! Mike brings his trademark killer funky drums (recorded by the legendary Malcolm Catto), percussion, Rhodes, bass and vintage guitar vibes to the party, whilst Chip delivers some sublime and highly complimentary work on sax and flute. 'Infinity Pool' sounds like a long-lost Bobbi Humphrey-meets-Bob James composition, with the flute taking centre stage - underpinned by what can only be described as mammoth funk grooves on every other instrument - while 'Get It!' is a cool number, channelling a phenomenally infectious groove and hook, both of which remain in the brain for days.

Review: Renowned saxophonist and flautist Chip Wickham has his 2022 album on Gondwana reissued by P-Vine here and it is fair to say that Cloud 10 is his most soulful album yet. Hailing from Brighton and honing his craft in Manchester, Wickham blends the spiritual jazz influences of Roland Kirk and Yusef Lateef with British jazz legends like Tubby Hayes. Having collaborated with diverse acts from The Pharcyde to Nightmares On Wax, his debut for Gondwana Records offers a timeless fusion of soulful, spiritual jazz and hard-hitting modal hard-bop. Wickham's dynamic flute and tenor work drive the album, reflecting his passion for connecting deeply with audiences and leaving a lasting musical legacy.

Review: Released earlier this August, Brighton-born jazz musician and producer Chip Wickham's four-track EP 'Love & Life' is a multi-instrumental easy-listening record that has a subtle depth to its sloozy production. The opening track 'Space Walk' sets the bar right out of the gate with an incredible flute-driven story, backed by some gentle, brassy drums and jazz lounge piano. There's a distinct lo-fi quality to it in its vibe, but the sound of the xylophone is just so crisp against the tenor sax - it's like you're right there in the studio with Wickham.

Review: Hot on the heels of his debut EP on Mathew Hallsall's Gondwana Records, saxophonist and flautist Chip Wickham is back with a full length. He is a member of the first Godwana Orchestra and was on Halsall's debut long player Sending My Love, but now really steps out with a sound that is all his own on Cloud 10. It's lush and spiritual, with mellifluous keys draped over gentle drums and heart aching sax solos reaching truly emotional highs. Gorgeous, life-affirming stuff from this modern great.

Review: Chip Wickham's cosmic spiritual jazz album Blue to Red gets some key remixes here on the Spanish label Lovemonk. 'Blue To Red Photay' (remix) is a bustling, club ready tune with a majestic flute lead and pumping drums. The no drums mix is a perfectly swirling ambient piece that is richly layered and joyous. Then comes 'The Cosmos Chip' (dub) which suspends you amongst the stars, lush flutes and deep bass notes while your mind wanders free. Last of all, 'Blue To Red Medlar' (remix) is another warm and succulent house groove with jazz stylings and airy harps all brings lightness and hope.

Review: There's always been a spiritual bent to some of flautist and saxophonist Chip Wickham's music, but rarely has it been so explicit as it is on "Blue To Red", his third full-length excursion. Surrounded by becalmed harps, spacey electric piano keys, languid double-bass, ear-catching cello and bustling drums, Wickham's breezy flute solos sound like a cosmic call to arms for all those who love the more spiritual side of jazz. It's a smart blueprint that Wickham and his cohorts happily apply to both up-tempo and downbeat moments, in the process delivering a set of inspired instrumentals that remain accessible entertaining and pleasingly alluring.

Review: Last spotted cavorting with his Nirvana-covering side project Blue Mode and previous operating as Kid Costa, killer flautist and composer Chip Wickham (real name Roger) delivers his debut LP on Lovemonk. Ranging from gentle wave lapping spiritualism of tracks such as "Tokyo Slow Mo" and the cinematic "Pushed Too Far" to much more frenetic, energetic cuts like "Le Leyenda Del Tiempo" by way of funkier, lolloping grooves like "The Detour", it's a beautiful, vibrant snapshot of Wickham's skills that will grow as the months get warmer. Stunning.

Review: Chip Wickham, who usually goes by the first name of Roger, returns to Madrid's excellent Lovemonk label with a mini LP to inaugurare the start of summer, which means a start to some pretty killer shades of balearica! In fairness, however, this album and the man's sound are much more in line with the jazzy end of the spectrum, breaking beats and forming new, forward-thinking arrangements. For instance, the opening "Shamal Wind" is a wonderful excursion into dreamier realms of the flute, while "Snake Eyes" picks up the tempo and makes way for an album thy can be plaid on your headphones, out on the car speakers, and most certainly in the dance! A wonderfully composed piece of music from a rising talent of true broken beat.