Jack Quigley released his debut album “Upstream, Vol. 1”, and I’m so happy I came across his music. I didn’t know about him before this, but after listening to these nine tracks, I wanted to hear more. There is much going on here, and I mean that in a good way. Every song has its unique character but they all belong together.
What I enjoyed most was the variety. Jack brings different musicians and ideas into the same project, and he gives those voices room to shine. You can hear how much care went into the production. The music is rich without becoming messy, and the changes from one track to another kept me interested. I love the idea behind the album, people from different places making something together, without letting language get in the way.
“Dhunkasho (Kissing)” became one of my favourites. I loved its flow, the melody, and how well everything works together. It’s a track I can see myself playing again. But the biggest surprise for me was “Andalucia”. Hearing Spanish lyrics alongside Moroccan Darija caught my attention. The song is catchy, the instruments sound wonderful and I especially enjoyed the rich sound near the end. Its video, filmed around Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, makes it more special to me.
Knowing that this album grew from Jack’s travels and work with artists across several countries makes the project more interesting and you can tell he makes music with real passion. It isn’t just about collecting different sounds. It’s about listening to other people and making space for their ideas.
I love discovering artists who care this much about their work. Jack has made a first album, and I’ll happily follow what comes next. You can stream the album now, and don’t forget to visit his website if you’d like to order the vinyl. Here: https://upstreamtrilogy.com/shop and here https://xelon.ffm.to/upstream-vol-1
