- 7inch
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Surprise Chef
Velodrome b/w Spring's Theme
Big Crown - Cat No: BCR123lp
- updated:2025-02-10
Re-release! SURPRISE CHEF, the popular Melbourne-based downtempo, cinematic jazz-funk band that’s a favorite here at our store, has finally signed with BIG CROWN and will release their first album under the new label on October 14, 2022! This is the lead single from the album. Congratulations!
Big Crown is proud to present the first 7” offering from Surprise Chef, the newest band signed to the label. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, these guys caught our ear with their unique sound and approach. They are something of a funky blend of Jazz, Hip Hop, and Soul with a shade of David Axelrod which all comes out their own. These two tunes on this 45 are a taste of what is to come. The A side “Velodrome” starts out with a heavy drum break and an earworm synth line guaranteed to have you humming it long after the song is over. The intro gives way to beautiful and tasteful arrangements showing their music prowess as well as their ear for restraint. The B side “Spring’s Theme” is a gorgeous and moody instrumental ballad that starts out with guitar that plays cat & mouse with the percussion until they decide to give the drummer some. Again, they run through arrangements that link together like chapters in a book taking the listener through a myriad of energies that all fit together to make this a quick favorite here at HQ.
Their unique sound is a funky blend of jazz, hip-hop, and soul, with a touch of David Axelrod. Side A’s “Velodrome” begins with heavy drum breaks and a catchy synthesizer line, and “Spring’s Theme” on the B-side—which begins with a moody atmosphere created by the seamless interplay of guitar and percussion, along with the haunting sounds of synths and vibraphone, before evolving into a robust bass-and-drum beat in the latter half—make this album a true calling card showcasing the band’s talent. (Original Japanese text by AYAM)