Stress Killer, by Leon Phal

Stress Killer

by Leon Phal

supported by

Pedro La Cartouche Some proper early ninja-tune vibes in this one! Blending some funky ingredients together, Leon Phal and his posse have cooked a blast of refreshing jazz/dnb music. Favorite track: Stress Killer.

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

€9.99 EUR or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
• Black vinyl LPs inside a heavyweight single pocket jacket with obi strip
• Printed inner sleeve
• Artwork by Superscript2

Includes unlimited streaming of Stress Killer via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

Purchasable with gift card

€23 EUR or more
Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
• Artwork by Superscript2

Includes unlimited streaming of Stress Killer via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

ships out within 3 days

Purchasable with gift card

€15 EUR or more

1.	Vibing in Ay 04:07	buy track
2.	Fuck Yeah 05:16	buy track
3.	Idylla feat. K.O.G. 03:46	buy track
4.	Balanced Action 04:49	buy track
5.	Something Inside feat. Lorine Chia 03:12	buy track
6.	Stress Killer 03:44	buy track
7.	Bongo 113 04:23	buy track
8.	Naima 04:06	buy track
9.	Same Human 04:03	buy track
10.	Clarity 03:02	buy track

about

Saxophonist Léon Phal presents his new full length album, his first for Heavenly Sweetness. Picking up from his last album ‘Dust to Stars’ (Kyudo Records) in 2021, this new LP entitled ‘Stress Killer’ delves even deeper into the area between nightclub and jazz club culture.

As a graduate of Lausanne’s Haute École de Musique, he’s a key artist within the much spoken about French new jazz scene. With a notoriety that goes beyond the borders of Europe, this Franco-Swiss musician paves his own path in his own way, alongside his faithful quintet of; Arthur Alard (Drums), Rémi Bouyssière (Double Bass), Gauthier Toux (Keyboards) and Zacharie Ksyk (Trumpet).

Over its 10 tracks ‘Stress Killer‘s perhaps the most major and remarkable point is that no drum machines or sampler were used in its creation. Despite its sonic shelving so close to the nightclub sounds, it is made using traditional jazz instrumentation.

Embracing ideas and desires to make people dance by approaching jazz as club music, the first single from the album "Fuck Yeah" highlights that goal perfectly. With its nods to the techno pioneers of Detroit and the deep house of Chicago.

Across this record tracks are arranged in a club music style, builds and drops that use breaks, climbs and loops - immediately making you think, "Fuck Yeah".

The saxophone remains the ringleader and master of ceremonies across the album, fusing jazz codes with detailed electronic etiquette, notes and ideas speak to the bodies of dancers and club goers, making you want to move.

On the J Dilla inspired ‘Idylla’, we have the first feature on the album, coming in from Heavenly Sweetness / Pura Vida label mate, K.O.G. A behind the beat groove allows K.O.G’s spoken word to sit over Gauthier’s keys, intertwining beautifully together with the rest of the track.

More mellower and reflective moments are to be found courtesy of ‘Balanced Action’, showing just how great Leon’s sax lines sound doubled with Zacharie’s trumpet.

A second vocal feature, Lorine Chia from LA, she adds a sultry yet affirmative performance on ‘Something Inside’

Then over onto side two, title track ‘Stress Killer’ does just that with its uplifting and playful hook. Feet get tapping and necks get snapping as Arthur’s snare drives the track towards an almost psychedelic ending, Gauthier showing off some synth sonics that could melt minds.

Only once does Léon look back into the rear-view mirror, towards the masters who explored the saxophone like no other. An interpretation of John Coltrane’s ‘Naima’, features deep rhodes tones before the unmistakable sax and trumpet melody arrive.

Album closer, ‘Clarity’ rounds off the record beautifully with a nostalgic yet familiar, hope filled chord progression, allowing the rest of the band to fill the spaces so tastefully.

Early support in the UK comes from Mr Scruff and Marhsa at NTS - it’s now time to present the rest of the album.

A record that has really captured all energies, be them eyes down on dark nightclub dance floors or squeezed into sweaty basement jazz clubs. The sound of Léon’s album may sometimes resemble that of machines, but it always retains its humanity.

‘Stress Killer’ by Léon Phal releases worldwide on digital and vinyl September 15th via Heavenly Sweetness.

credits

released September 15, 2023

Léon Phal : Saxophone
Gauthier Toux : Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Piano, Prophet ‘08, Oberheim OB-6, Minimoog model D
Zacharie Ksyk : Trumpet
Arthur Alard : Drums, Percussions
Rémi Bouyssière : Double bass

Vocals and Lyrics by Lorine Chia on track A5
Vocals and Lyrics by K.O.G on track A3
Produced by Léon Phal
Recorded by Hugo Heredia at La Frette Studios
Mixed by Jordan Kouby at QDS Studios, Paris
Mastered by Chab at Chabmastering
A&R / Executive production : Franck Descollonges

Artwork by Superscript2

All songs composed by Léon Phal.

license

about

Leon Phal Paris, France

shows

May 2

La Cité Miroir

Liège, Belgium
May 2

Jazz à Liège

Liège, Belgium
Jun 9

Le Cargo

Caen, France
Jun 14

Les Gemeaux - Scène Nationale

Sceaux, France
Jun 26

Jazz in aiacciu

Ajaccio, France
Jul 2

La Friche de la Belle de Mai

Marseille, France
Jul 16

Théatre Antique De Vienne

Vienne, France

contact / help

Contact Leon Phal

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Leon Phal, you may also like:

Black Classical Music
by Yussef Dayes

supported by 26 fans who also own “Stress Killer”

Great album! A crossover jazz-r'nb-african trip from continent to continent. London does it again. Nyubian Twist with more jazz overtones. John Woodward
go to album
Black Focus
by Yussef Kamaal

supported by 19 fans who also own “Stress Killer”

I feel now like I have 10 arms and 10 legs. Powerful and energetic. Griffyn Louis Denizard
go to album
Could We Be More
by Kokoroko

supported by 19 fans who also own “Stress Killer”

I love this band so much!!!! rhamansax7ian
go to album
Stylin' 1000
by Ennio Styles

featured on Bandcamp Radio Sep 28, 2021
go to album
Bye (Yoofee Remix)
by corto.alto

featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 19, 2024
go to album
Puttin' In Time On Planet Earth
by Ben Sidran

featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 12, 2024
go to album
STR4TASFEAR
by STR4TA

supported by 19 fans who also own “Stress Killer”

I heard the catchy Lazy Days on the Radio for the first time and fell in love with this song. I rediscovered Brit Funk with this album and how good vibes it is. Richard
go to album