Premiere: Ron Trent feat. Jean Luc Ponty – Sphere

Music

The album marks the MusicandPower boss’ first album in 11 years and features collaborations with Azymuth, Khruangbin, Gigi Masin and more.

Since producing the iconic “techno-not-techno” anthem ‘Altered States’, Ron Trent has continued to stamp his name on the rich tapestry of house music. That was 1990 and now, over 30 years later, his legacy still rings loudly in our ears. Known for his raw, soulful, jazzy sound, Ron’s contribution to music has come in many shapes and forms over the years: he’s helmed one of the most prolific house labels, Prescription Records, alongside Chez Damier; started his own MusicandPower imprint; released music on labels like Peacefrog, Future Vision and Rush Hour – and that’s nowhere near the full list.

After a hiatus from releasing long players, 11 years to be exact, Ron is now returning with a new album What Do The Stars Say To You. Featuring a star studded cast of collaborators across the release’s 10 tracks, including Azymuth, Gigi Masin, Khruangbin and violin maestro Jean Luc Ponty, the music explores Ron’s sprawling influences that reach much further than just electronic music. There’s echoes of jazz funk, new age, komische, soft rock, afrobeat, new wave and much more, all contributing to the LP’s concept: a homage to the the 70s and 80s boom in extravagant and forward thinking LPs.

Speaking about the collaboration, Jean-Luc Ponty said: “It was a nice surprise when Ron Trent offered me to collaborate on “Sphere”. I was happy to discover that an artist like him from a younger generation and from a different style of music than mine was interested in my playing and my music. When I listened to the track he had prepared for me, I could hear common musical elements between house music and jazz. “Sphere” has such a great groove but also that special mood which inspired me immediately to play on it. The ultimate goal in music is to express what cannot be expressed with words, sounds and vibrations that lift your soul to another world and ‘Sphere’ does it for me.”