BANGER FACTORY RECORDS
Banger Factory Records was founded by Mark Kavuma in 2021 as a natural evolution from The Banger Factory, an ensemble he started in 2015 that quickly established itself as a cradle for young talent, driven by his charismatic persona.
Kavuma is a natural leader, an engaging and consummate musician with a vision. The Banger Factory is his extended family where everyone has an equally important role to fulfil and finds space to develop.
After releasing two albums it became clear there was something very special about the developing sound created by the ensemble. The core band was regularly augmented by young lions, some of the most gifted and commanding musicians around, heavily encouraged to pitch their own sound into the mix and The Banger Factory began to unify the local London jazz scene. The Banger Factory nourished this truly unique, unmistakable sound leaning heavily on original material.
Mark became keen to expand horizons, take artistic risks and to have ‘hands on’ creative control of the recording and releasing of the music, and realised that a natural progression to this now tried and proven formula, would be to set up a record label. The prospect of further collaborations with more outstanding musicians and visual artists was an exciting one as was the opportunity to have an unbounded outlet and legitimate entity with which to expose and promote jazz as an art form.
With the inception of Banger Factory Records, Kavuma has established a direct link to the legendary musicians that pioneered the sound, the look, the language and the swagger of the whole culture. His vision is to pass it on to the generations to come and while he is at it unashamedly showcase the London jazz community and its herds of exceptionally dexterous, accomplished, brilliant players and singers.
His aspiration for the label is that it will inspire and empower those within the community and provide a platform for uncovering new artists and up-and-coming musicians, enabling them to not only hone and finesse their craft but to innovate, flourish and realise their full artistic potential, ultimately shaping the future of music beyond genres, genders and borders.
“I've set up Banger Factory Records to nourish and develop this sound and spread love and good vibes. I'm excited to share news of further exciting new projects very soon.”
* Out now
The Banger Factory “Arashi No Ato” (BF001) September 2021
This is the newest offering from the gang of brothers at their absolute finest and the very first offering from Banger Factory Records. A musical commentary on global disaster and its aftermath. Stretching well and truly beyond familiar customs with the rhythm section consisting no less than four harmonic instruments in tuneful symmetry. The elegant footing of these gentlemen green lights one of the hardest grooving ensembles anywhere today. Their distinctive blend of guitar, hammond organ, piano and vibraphone sets an enticing framework for inspired melodic sketching. And the way Kavuma formulates his tunes is nothing but awesome. Arrangements of the obscure finds, emphasise well-toned raw beauty while sounding unique and out of the ordinary. Here, you get a superbly balanced programme, an assortment of varied line-ups assuming specific roles on each of the selections. It provides for not only a pleasurable consumption of this conceptual sonic narrative, but it immensely enhances the experience. The music is full of soul, groove and content; it’s harmonious, stylish and plain cool.
Kinetika Bloco “Legacy” (BF002) December 2021
Kinetika Bloco’s “Legacy” celebrates the 21st anniversary of the carnival group of the same name founded by Mat Fox; teacher of Brazilian Drumming, Steel Pan groups and Big Bands in South London. Usually around 100 strong, this scaled-down group of Kinetika alumni led by Mat’s son Ruben Fox revisits some of the Bloco’s iconic pieces on this landmark recording.
What is effectively a Big Band with Tuba (occasionally 2!) in the bass, accompanied by Guitar, Hammond B3 and a 4-piece rhythm section of surdo’s, bells and snare delivers an enthralling new sound.
The 9 tracks fuse influences from Brazil, New Orleans, Africa and the Caribbean, and the deeply impressive list of names from this remarkable community deliver highly intelligent arrangements of this diverse repertoire with power, presence and style
Zaitz & Kavuma “Back To Back” (BF003) March 2022
The undiscovered formation of instruments in a century old jazz. Sonic delight and a bomb. Instrument configuration here is extremely rare and with the album in the can due for release, it may even be the first ever recorded.
1961 Hammond C-3 Organ against 1971 Wurlitzer 200A Electric Piano, or a Stairway Grand Piano with a support from a drumming tour de force William Cleasby, lending his dexterity and groove mastery here. This interesting and distinctively unique conception has been developing for the past few years only to fully blossom during the global pandemic, when Zaitz and Kavuma found themselves practicing literally back to back. Strikingly monumental “Lockdown Blues” penned by Zaitz is an absorbing and sincere attestation to the state of affairs and will leave you spellbound. Followed by Kavuma’s own reflection of personal struggle of coping with separation in “Mia’s Waltz”, and the reading of Monk’s “‘Round Midnight” is spectacular, the kind that would make you reassess if you ever knew this tune in the first place.
** In production, for 2022 release
The Banger Factory “Warriors” (BF004) November 2022
What is a warrior?
That was the question that Mark Kavuma, Theo Erskine and Ruben Fox set out to consider when they met in the studio soon after lockdown.
Although holding many different interpretations, the starting point for this session was to explore the word 'warrior' in the context of the struggles and challenges faced by musicians during the pandemic.
The result is a euphonious set of six original tunes brought to life with support from the ever-versatile, BBC Young Musician of the Year Deschanel Gordon(piano), top of every 'A' list Conor Chaplin (double bass), and best-kept secret (as yet) Luca Caruso (drums).
Artie Zaitz Hammond Combo “The Regulator” (BF005) July 2022
Presenting a debut album from an international jazz scene veteran. Still in his twenties, only this time leading his own combo with a guitar on his shoulder. Artie is a musician of taste, imagination and rare fire with supernatural ability to combine contrasting elements in a single run. Long jazz phrase with blues suspensions and ad libs. Kavuma’s opening “Warriors Suite” sets the tone for the entire selection. It’s bold and it’s brazen, and it’s masterfully bends seamlessly blended via chromatic ladders and decorated with loungy frills. Unafraid of major flicks, he comfortably quotes history defining passages with due respect.
Unashamedly humorous and firmly anchored, down to earth, he swings effortlessly through toughest of changes avoiding shortcuts, evaluating every note and awarding it with meaning.
The Combo was tracked live in a large studio with Ross Stanley on Hammond Organ, Steve Brown on drums and Dave Pattman on conga. Deep in parallel with classic organ recordings, full of blues and grit they make this sound cool, fresh and fun. Groovy originals recorded in full analog glory. The Regulator is at large.