One of my favorite, if not THE favorite discovery of 2019 for me, Badge Époque Ensemble, are releasing their sophomore album on November 20, Self Help, via Telephone Explosion Records. I saw the group open for U.S. Girls at Union Pool of all places last year and was hooked. Their self-titled album was my #16 favorite album of last year and their follow-up EP, Nature, Man & Woman, was another favorite.

This upcoming album features Meg Remy of U.S. Girls, perennial Canadian favorites Jennifer Castle and Dorothea Paas, and BÉE standout guest vocalist James Baley on various tracks. This new one features Meg & Dorothea – get pumped! This first single is exactly what I want from the group, jazz funk with an air of cosmic mystery around it. Wicked hand percussion, solid mellotron, stellar-as-ever horn section, and ripping leads from the guitar and sax players. It all comes to a head near the end with the band engaging in a hypnotic synchronized melody while the drummer goes absolutely HAM in the background. This is an excellent sign of things to come. I cannot wait for this album and I hope you can’t either.

Badge Époque Ensemble is:
Jay Anderson – Drum kit
Chris Bezant – Guitar
Karen Ng – Saxophone
Alia O’Brien – Flute
Ed Squires – Percussion
Giosuè Rosati – Bass
Maximilian ‘Twig’ Turnbull – Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, synthesizers, piano