Debut album from The Wands Collective

The Wands Collective captures the sound of borders dissolving and distils it into a smooth, groove-focused sonic cocktail. Formed in 2022 at the OneBeat residency in the Atlantic Center of Arts, the group came together from four different corners of the globe such as Colombia, Barbados, the UK and the USA and immediately struck a creative spark.

The lineup is as diverse as their influences, Byron Asher brings saxophone lines and keys, Edgar Marun handles the low end on bass and double bass, Juanita Clarke drives the rhythm on drums and percussion while Sasha Gefen lends both vocals and synth textures. Each member draws on their own cultural background, but together they stitch together a stunning fabric of sound that feels at once organic and transportive which fans of acts like Kokoroko will love.

Their process draws as much from conversation and shared experience as it does from rehearsals and studio sessions, offering a fusion of styles reflecting the lived reality of the band; four musicians shaped by their own worlds, now building a new one together. In 2023, the quartet reconvened in New Orleans to record their debut album, a project that’s built on the very essence of their cross-continental collaboration.

This year they’ve been sharing their studio sound with the world, unveiled on their debut single “Fairies” and sophomore outing “Waterfalls.” Now they bring us their latest release with their new debut seven-track record titled Four Corner Circle, a release that blends the heat of Latin and Caribbean rhythms with the allure pull of Slavic melodies, all tied together by jazz’s fluid improvisational spirit.

Opened by the soft pulse of bass notes on their debut single “Fairies,” hushed sax tones and sparse percussive rattles form an immersive atmosphere as the arrangement gently builds up. As Sasha’s voice enters, she threads delicate melodies via hushed delivery which glide alongside the smooth sax lines before the track shifts with rolling drums and dazzling instrumental flickers, resulting in a musical voyage that’s gripping, mesmeric and original all at once.

“Yagadish” follows with playful tumbles of notes before the dusty punch of muted drums ushers in a shuffling groove. Wrapped in a smokey aesthetic, the track takes on a vintage charm while Sasha’s expressive vocal performance and the dancing instrumental leads combine to craft a memorable and fiercely unique outing.

Tracks like their second single “Waterfalls” see them lean into their progressive jazz stylings on a jam propelled by crisp drum snap and bright instrumental chimes. “Kometa” presents an engrossing eight minute piece of rustling percussion and layers of chanting vocal lines before rising with the uptempo pulse of rhythm, sweeping sax elements, passages of vocals and a spectacular finale of punchy staccato notes and incredible saxophone leads.

Closing the record with “Te Amo,” the zap of spacey synth tones and patter of lively drums kicks off an invigorating listening experience packed full of twists and turns to offer a superb final moment on the band’s sensational debut full-length release. From start to finish, on Four Corner Circle, The Wands Collective put their creative flair, experimental ethos and musicianship panache on full display to serve up a sound unlike any other.

Listen to Four Corner Circle below