Uhlmann/Johnson/Wilkes Summon a Funereal Sunset on Their Atmospheric New Single "Arpy"
(( photo by Roman Koval ))
Today the Los Angeles trio of guitarist Gregory Uhlmann (SML, Perfume Genius), saxophonist Josh Johnson (SML, Jeff Parker ETA IVtet & New Breed, Meshell Ndegeocello), and bassist Sam Wilkes (Sam Gendel, Louis Cole, Chaka Khan) — share new single "Arpy," an undulating and atmospheric track imbued with a mournful glow.
In this piece composed by Uhlmann (one of the group's few tracks that isn't a collective composition), smears of dislocated saxophone wash over a haze of interlocking guitar figures and sparkling noise, recalling the humid placidity of Fennesz's Endless Summer or a garbled transmission of late night jazz radio.
IARC0095
Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, Sam Wilkes
UHLMANN JOHNSON WILKES
LP, CD, Cassette, DD out March 14th, 2025
Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes is the debut album from a new trio by LA based musicians Gregory Uhlmann, Josh Johnson, and Sam Wilkes.
With these 11 instrumental songs, the trio explore a spacious lyrical curiosity that could be described as a jazz-informed take on progressive electro-acoustic chamber music. It's redolent of the form-smashing ingenuity they've exhibited in past projects — from Music For Saxofone and Bass Guitar, Wilkes' beloved collaboration with Sam Gendel released by Leaving Records in 2018, to last year's Small Medium Large, the critically-acclaimed debut from Uhlmann and Johnson's group SML — that have become era-defining documents of Los Angeles's thriving new jazz scene.
Los Angeles Release Show
April 16th @ Barnsdall
The trio are set to celebrate the album release with a live performance at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Los Angeles on April 16th — tickets and info here.
Chicago Release Show
August 7th @ Constellation
The trio are set to celebrate the album release with a live performance at Constellation in Chicago on August 7th — tickets and info here.
(( Photo by Roman Koval ))
...about...
Sam Wilkes
American bassist, producer, arranger, and composer based in Los Angeles. Wilkes’ music is steeped in genre fusion, collaboration, and tight rhythm section performance.
A frequent collaborator of Sam Gendel, Louis Cole/KNOWER, and Jacob Mann. Other collaborations throughout Wilkes' career include: Chaka Khan, Mk.gee, Jacob Collier, Rufus Wainwright, Maggie Rogers, & Dijon etc. Wilkes performs live primarily playing a Fender Precision bass while sitting down.
Gregory Uhlmann
Gregory Uhlmann is a guitarist, composer, and producer from Chicago living in Los Angeles. His musical palette embraces beautiful warble-y sounds, playful rhythms that overlap in surprising ways, and low fuzzy vibrations.
He is currently a member of SML, Duffy x Uhlmann, Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes, and a duo with Dustin Wong. Additionally, he has collaborated with Perfume Genius, Hand Habits, Fell Runner, Miya Follick, Anna Butterss, Jeremiah Chiu, Tasha, and many others.
Josh Johnson
Johnson is a saxophonist, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy Award-winning producer. He is a regular collaborator with some of contemporary music’s most innovative artists, including Meshell Ndegeocello, Jeff Parker, Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill, Chicago Underground Quartet, and SML.
He can also be heard on wide-ranging records by artists such as Nate Mercereau, Harry Styles, Kiefer, Broken Bells, Leon Bridges, and Chris Cohen.
Deluxe Vinyl Package
Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes comes on a 140g vinyl LP in heavyweight reverse-board jacket, with IARC 2025 obi strip & poly-lined inner sleeve. Pressed at Pallas in Germany, with lacquers cut by Daniel K @ SST.
Available on limited edition "Concord Grape" color vinyl for $29 USD.
Also available on classic black vinyl for $24 USD.
The 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 ‘𝟮𝟱 𝗕𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗘 is now available !!
It's a new season of new releases and the Winter ‘25 Bundle collects all three of the new LPs announced this season (including Alabaster DePlume's A Blade Because A Blade Is Whole and Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes) and ships them to you as a single parcel.
Purchase gets you a bundle-exclusive discount of 10% off the LP prices as well as a discounted shipping cost.
The bundle will ship from our warehouses in the US, EU, and UK, but don’t wait too long, the quantity available in each warehouse is limited! Early purchase is recommended to ensure the lowest possible shipping, tax, and VAT costs.
All items will ship together in one package around March 7th, so you will receive one LP by its street date and the other two releases shortly ahead of their release dates. Bandcamp downloads will be sent via email for all the releases by, or on, the ship date. Thank you as always for your trust in our label’s output and for your support <𝟯
