Jeff Mills: The Love Pretender album now set for release March 14th

Spiral Deluxe unveils their highly anticipated second album, The Love Pretender, on March 14. This release marks another significant achievement in the group’s ongoing exploration of electronic jazz fusion, blending free-form improvisation with musical experimentation. Featuring Jeff Mills, the visionary electronic music architect, alongside Gerald Mitchell (Underground Resistance/Los Hermanos) on keyboard, Yumiko Ohno (Buffalo Daughter/Cornelius) on Moog synthesizer, and Kenji “Jino” Hino, the accomplished bassist and son of jazz legend Terumasa Hino, the collective thrives on spontaneous musical “conversations” that push the boundaries of conventional sound.

Recorded in Tokyo just before the pandemic, The Love Pretender captures the essence of Spiral Deluxe’s improvisational prowess. The album stems from one extended improvisational session, with tracks like “The Soloist” evolving effortlessly, driven by the group’s unspoken understanding and natural flow. The music radiates freedom, filled with jazzy riffs, electronic bass, synthesizer beats, and shimmering keys, all coming together to create a rich, vibrant atmosphere.

Special guest musicians, including Sylvain Luc, whose posthumous contributions add a laid-back Californian vibe, and TOKU, a Japanese jazz trumpeter, significantly enrich the album’s sound. In addition, The Love Pretender delves into themes of trust, optimism, and the superficiality of modern society, offering a sonic reflection on embracing the unknown.

With The Love Pretender, Spiral Deluxe delivers a body of work that feels alive, dynamic, and unapologetically human. Moreover, its March 14 release stands as a testament to Jeff Mills’ vision, creating a timeless collection of music that listeners will continue to experience and revisit for years to come.