It gives me enormous pleasure to present to you the third (and final… for now!) in the series of Beats & Pieces remixes, and its one I’ve been looking forward to sharing since it arrived in my inbox a few weeks ago. Rodrigo Constanzo has completely reworked ‘broken’ and it sounds awesome, a fitting end [...]

The second in the grand series of Beats & Pieces remixes is by Dileu (aka Owain Roberts, aka Messner), who has reworked ‘bake’ – the first track from the EP. The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that Owain also plays trombone on the EP, so its a great pleasure to have the music remixed [...]

It is our privilege to introduce you to….
The 265 Quartet

Anton Hunter – guitar/fx
Ben Cottrell – clarinet
Graham South – flugelhorn
Rod Skip – cello
Brought together initially by Anton to explore a quieter alternative to HAQ, the group has developed to feature original music by all the members, all from different viewpoints but with improvisation at it’s core. [...]

First up on the grand Beats & Pieces remix project is Tullis Rennie, trombonist and laptop musician extraordinaire now resident in sunny Barcelona, who has taken on the final track of the EP, ‘broken’. You may be familiar with his BCN_ep which is available on the Concrete Moniker label, and he is also responsible for [...]

In the run up to the Beats & Pieces Big Band playing at the Manchester Jazz Festival on Saturday July 31st, and to celebrate both the end of their UK tour and the 2nd anniversary of their first ever gig at the 2008 festival, we’ve invited some close friends of Efpi to have a go [...]

Efpi Records is excited to be sending both of its flagship bands out across the UK (except Scotland – any promoters out there want to make a last minute booking??) from the end of May right through until the middle of July. Dates for HAQ and the Beats & Pieces Big Band are as follows:
HAQ
Tuesday [...]

Efpi Records is delighted to bring you this four track EP from Anglo-Finnish-Swiss saxophone-bass-drums trio, Aaargh! This exciting release is the work of three brothers from different mothers whose shared love of improvised music (and Monty Python) drew them together from across the globe. The music, described as leading the new and exciting European-wonky-melodic-folk-punk-jazz movement, [...]

Aaargh! (formerly ATM) are the newest band to join the Efpi family. As there are some new faces in the group and with their first release with Efpi on it’s way we thought it would be nice if you could get to know the chaps a little. So here’s a friendly interview for your enjoyment. [...]

Ian Mann (aka the Jazz Mann) has taken a listen to both the HAQ and Beats & Pieces EPs for his excellent blog, also entitled The Jazz Mann. The site is a great resource for reviews of CDs and gigs, as well as a comprehensive news and listings section – check it out!
Of HAQ’s EP. [...]

Both the HAQ and Beats & Pieces EPs have been reviewed by Sean Gregson in the Tasty Fanzine (www.tastyfanzine.org.uk) – cheers Sean! You can read both by clicking here (HAQ immediately follows Beats & Pieces) but selected highlights for both follow, HAQ first…
Guitarist, Anton Hunter, and sax player, Sam Andreae, weave beautiful melodies that create [...]

We realised recently, to our great amazement, that Efpi Records was coming up for it’s first birthday. Well, the big day is now here, so……HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
This seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the last year I suppose. Well, Beats & Pieces was still in its infancy this time last year and I think [...]

Well, I’ve now said my farewells in Helsinki. It was really hard to leave, I think we’d managed to build a really strong community both as friends and musicians in our short time together. I have no doubt we’ll be staying in touch and our paths will be crossing many times in the future! Much [...]

Efpi Records’ two releases received a joint review by Mike Butler in yesterday’s (11th December) Manchester Evening News, with the Hunter/Andreae Quartet’s EP. 1 gaining 3/5 stars and the Beats & Pieces Big Band’s EP 4/5.

Efpi Records is proud to present the eagerly anticipated debut EP from the Beats & Pieces Big Band. The EP’s 5 tracks feature many of Manchester’s finest young improvising talents performing original compositions for jazz ensemble influenced not only by jazz, but by rock, electronica and contemporary classical music amongst others.
1. bake
2. yafw (part iii)
3. [...]

Those of you who are regular readers of the excellent Jazzwise magazine may have noticed mention of our very own Hunter/Andreae Quartet in the reviews section of the October 2009 issue (with Empirical on the cover).

At the start of August we had the Beats & Pieces Big Band in the studio for a couple of days to record for an exciting upcoming release on Efpi Records. I’ve put up some pictures from the recording session, taken by Sam Healey, on the Beats & Pieces website – click on the photos [...]

Efpi Records is proud to present as its debut release the first EP from the Hunter/Andreae Quartet. Led by the duo of Anton Hunter on guitar and Sam Andreae on tenor saxophone, the quartet also features the considerable talents of Gavin Barras on double bass and Fin Panter on drums
1. Tune One (Andreae/Hunter)
2. Tune Two [...]

Chris Ackerley (who writes for Jazzwise from time to time) has set up a great new blog on all things Mancunian and/or jazzy. Well worth taking the time to check it out, bookmark it, and tell all your friends about it.

Now.

Do it now.