LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Retso Records) Jeff Oster's fourth recording Surrender (released on Retso Records, August 16, 2011) is steeped in downtempo, instrumental grooves seasoned with his one-of-a-kind sensuous, trumpet and flugelhorn. In fact, Jeff utilizes his background as a classically-trained jazz artist combined with ambient electronica and synthesizer embellishments to create an aural atmosphere quite unlike any other musical experience of its kind. Illinois-born, San Francisco-based, and world-renowned, Jeff's mastery of the trumpet and flugelhorn are showcased on Surrender in a contemporary and innovative setting that shies away from a typical orchestral or jazz ensemble sound.
Four years in the making, Surrender establishes new ground in the New Age, downtempo, and electronica genres. Furthermore, Surrender has been submitted for the 54th Grammy® Awards consideration. Acclaimed Grammy® Award-winning guitarist/producer and Windham Hill Records founder,
William Ackerman, produced Jeff's previous two, award-winning full-length albums, Released (Retso Records, 2005) and True (Retso Records, 2007). Jeff turns heads with Surrender, as it has garnished Album of the Month recognition for
September 2011 by the popular, US-based Echoes, which is a nationally syndicated NPR radio program dedicated to New Age, electronic, and space music; Jeff's previous two releases garnered the same honor.
Jeff's sensuous and brassy sound is brought to life by Bryan Carrigan on sound design, synthesizers, and drum programming. Bryan's skills as a producer, engineer, synth programmer, remixer, and composer of electronic music cover many genres with a resume including the soundtracks for Marley and Me, Charlie's Angels 2, Tropic Thunder, 40 Year Old Virgin, and others. In addition, Bryan has added production skills to albums by Alanis Morissette, Seal, No Doubt, and a slew of others.
Adding her grace to Surrender is New Age legend,
Diane Arkenstone, a US-based musician that has topped the New Age charts since 2000. On Surrender,
Diane lends her airy vocals, which weave a beautiful tapestry of sounds on "Surrender," "The Voice," and "Enlightened Darkness."
The title track, "Surrender," features the wispy, floating vocals with the aid of Diane, amidst a light, trip-hop beat and solemn trumpet. Diane's vocals are very similar to the female lead singers of Zero 7, Enigma, Alpha, or Hooverphonic. "
All That Matters" is more downtempo than other songs with all of Jeff's characteristic brassy 'voice'. The sparkling synths, trip-hop percussion, and sparse vocal accompaniment by Jeff make the track stand-out with minimal effort. On the meaning of the track, Jeff says: "Seize the moment…Tomorrow isn't guaranteed, and yesterday has already happened. All that matters is right now." The sensuous, Portuguese-titled, "Voce Quer Dacar," is an alluring, instrumental composition that has a slow, danceable rhythm with the charisma of Sade. "Nikki's Dream" is a filmic track perfect for lounging or dreaming with musical similarities to
Thomas Newman. In addition to Diane's vocals, Jeff's poetic and expressive abilities on "The Voice," notably spoken wordplay, adds a touch of introspective comfort that is soothing beyond belief. "Essence Of Herb" is a trip-hop sensation with fine electronic washes and spacey tones. "2 Di 4," "Beautiful Silence," "53 Mirrors," and "Theology Of Success" are delicious tracks with Waldeck and Alpha qualities: two big names in electronica and downtempo music. The last track, "Enlightened Darkness," is a crystalline medley of atmospheric noise, synths, and trumpet originating from somewhere in the not-too-distant galaxy. Diane's spiritual voice echoes the Middle Eastern qualities of Azam Ali and the Indian charm of
Sheila Chandra.
Surrender is an album with multifarious influences and comparisons to other musicians. The musical foundation is relatively rich in electronic and jazz nuances that have not been explored together by other musicians. The trumpet and flugelhorn bring to mind the talents of
Chris Botti and Mark Isham. The down-tempo and jazz melodies cement Jeff's mark in the world of electronica, along with Diane's vocal contributions. Moreover, Jeff describes previous characterizations of his music as: "Chet Baker meets Dead Can Dance."
Chris Coco, a talented DJ, producer, and downtempo dynamo, adds his thoughts on Surrender's title track, "I…fell in love with the melody and the trumpet sound…it will definitely get played at sunset next time I am in Ibiza…" Descriptions aside, Jeff manages to cultivate a fresh, unique, and exciting musical experience for New Age, electronica, and downtempo audiences.
On the overall inspiration for the project, Jeff notes: "Sometimes life asks you to let go - to give up control, to let go on to the outcome of things. Life can be pretty overwhelming sometimes, whether it be all of the sadness and war we see in the world, or in relationships with ourselves and others, and we always have a choice. You can make yourself crazy resisting the way things are, or you can accept them and work for a positive more fulfilling outcome. Surrender isn't about giving up - it's about letting go."
https://www.jeffoster.com - Official Site
https://www.facebook.com/ffejretso - Facebook Fan Page
https://www.youtube.com/ffejretso - YouTube Channel
https://www.twitter.com/Jeff_Oster - Twitter
https://www.myspace.com/jeffoster - MySpace
https://www.reverbnation.com/jeffoster - ReverbNation
https://www.reverbnation.com/c./rpk/49065 - EPK
