The new album from The Peter Franks Group beautifully combines live instrumentation and dusty samples, creating a warm, organic hybrid of jazz and beats featuring an outstanding ensemble of contemporary guest artists from the UK including Nat Birchall on sax,
Amanda Whiting on harp, Robert Mitchell on keys, Tom Mason on bass, Marc Rapson on keys, Rachel Crennell on flute and Julian Ferraretto on strings.
The combination of intimate yet focussed playing with raw edged production makes for a beautiful journey through filtered sonic landscapes and adventurous individual solos, covering varied tempos and time signatures with a nod to past greats as well as keeping an eye firmly on the future.

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As founder of Futuristica Music, Simon S has always strived for the label to showcase an exemplary perspective on progressive and innovative new sounds from various quarts of the contemporary soul music landscape. Just from a quick assessment of the label's recent releases, there's the neo-soul sounds of the sensational Georgie Sweet, the hip-hop inspired aesthetic of vocalist LaNote, the soulful electronica of As Valet's 'Virgo Stellar' project and of course the always exceptional releases of Deborah Jordan, most recently via her phenomenal pairing with K15 for 'HUMAN'.

The Simon S helmed Jazz Chronicles and Peter Franks projects afford the DJ and producer the opportunity to nurture his affections for a series of interwoven jazz-meets-hip-hop narratives with The Peter Franks Group in particular forging ahead with a creative path born of samples-based compositions fused with lush live instrumentation.

And forging "ahead" in this instance is the key term.

While the initial Peter Franks release in 2018 sought to pay loving tribute to influences and inspirations via a series of exquisite, nostalgia-driven compositions in 'Days Past', 2023's 'Days Ahead' - as the title suggests - is an infinitely more assertive and confident record. Its commitment to creating its own identity is very much an ideal that gives focus to the album and unifies much of its context.

With Simon S/Peter Franks credited for the album's production along with drums, samples, bass, keys and percussion, the 'Days Ahead' table is set for an exalted line-up of contributors that take the music in enthralling new directions. The consistently brilliant Amanda Whiting guests on 'Were You Ever Here' - harp in hand - introducing elegant textures and dimensions in her inimitable way; revered saxophonist Nat Birchall guests on album opener 'From The Heart' and the cinematic title track 'Days Ahead' while Futuristica staple and production genius Marc Rapson is credited for keys on the spirited 'Dream in Colour'.

Rachel Crennell's efforts absolutely warrant mention here as the flautist's presence on several of the album's tracks, much like on 'Days Past', have become synonymous with the overall sound of a Peter Franks record.

Much of the album's beating heart can be found within 'Creativity pt.1' - boasting some charismatic drumming, keys by the esteemed Robert Mitchell and spoken word by DJ Gordon Wedderburn - the track presents an earnest ode to the concept of creativity and celebrates that spark and desire within someone that invariably compels them to create, not for accolades or monetary goals but for the unbridled joy in doing so.

In truth, 'Days Ahead' plays as an assertive and definitive statement of intent with Simon more accepting and embracing of what he brings to the table as an artist in his own right and subsequently unveiling genuinely some of his most inspired music.

Imran Mirza - Blue-in-Green:RADIO

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The Peter Franks Group makes a welcome return with their latest offering on the critically acclaimed Futuristica label, ‘Days Ahead’.
A project spearheaded by label head & primo producer Simon S, the group strips the sound right back to its roots in deep jazz. ‘Days Ahead’ reads as a pure document of ‘Future Jazz’. It’s a nod to the vintage sounds of folks like the Coltrane’s, both John & Alice, whilst reaching for the sounds of now and tomorrow.
The influences on display read like a who’s who of the Impulse! catalogue but yet every track holds its own identity loud and proud. The set is a shrewd melange of tempos, arrangements and interpretations, adding that Peter Franks Group stamp of originality. The listener is encouraged to don some headphones and immerse oneself in the textures and sonic revelry on offer here. It’s quite beautifully executed.
Favourites are difficult to decide but for the slower tempos on offer, try ‘Were You Ever Here’. The layering of piano, bass and sweeping harp is beautiful and requires several listens to engage with all the phraseology. ‘Creativity’ pts 1 & 2 should be future classics, pure and simple. They’re the very essence of what this music is aiming to achieve and the Peter Franks Group does so here, quite effortlessly.
Wonderful music that deserves a worldwide stage.

Greg Belson - Dublab/Soho Radio