I found it difficult to classify Alfa Mist under a genre label. Is it jazz, is it lounge? A bit of MCing, a lot of hip-hop influenced grooves, and a lot of imagination - that’s what you’ll find on this excellent EP coming from an East London artist. He describes himself, modestly I would say, as a ‘producer/composer’, although he is apparently a talented, proficient instrumentalist. Prior to this album, Alfa Mist released short EPs “Nocturne” and the neo-soul driven “Epoch” with vocalist Emmavie, but this time with “Antiphon” his sound shifted towards the jazzier side of things. From the eleven-minute-long introduction “Keep On” right through until the final note of “Brian”, Mist presents his unique vision of contemporary jazz. The result is mesmerizing!
The album concept was derived from a conversation about mental health shared between Mist and his brothers. Recordings of this dialogue can be heard throughout the EP, where other topics such as those of family, friendship, values, life stages, and selfishness are discussed. We hear vocals on “Breathe” and “7th October” sung by the brilliant Kaya Thomas-Dyke (who also designed the album’s artwork.) The entire record is melancholic, even mournful in its nature, As one critic described, “the Newham-based artist takes you for a stroll down the quiet backstreets of London at night, immersing you with serene dialogue on human relationships whilst the sheer quality of the instrumentals make it fitting for a concert hall in the West End. It is the perfect soundtrack for urban living.”
In his own words, Alfa Mist is not a “dancing kind of person, but a more sit back and reflect kind of person,” and that’s exactly how his music sounds. A video was made about the making of “Antiphon” which brings the atmosphere of Mist’s surroundings and working process. It is a great way to get closely acquainted with the intimate world of Alda Mist. In my opinion, this EP will soon become a classic of contemporary jazz and it will further influence the shape of music to come.
