Jeff Parker - The New Breed (IA11 Edition) Jeff Parker

Jeff Parker’s 2016 album The New Breed marked a turning point for both the artist and International Anthem, reshaping the trajectory of Parker’s solo career while drawing significant attention to the label’s then-fledgling imprint and limited catalogue.

Most importantly, The New Breed was the first album to fully realise Parker’s distinctive approach to sample-based beat construction, augmented by improvisation and live instrumentation. The sessions featured an exceptional ensemble, including Paul Bryan on bass, Josh Johnson on alto saxophone and keyboards, Jamire Williams and Jay Bellerose on drums, Parker’s daughter Ruby Parker on vocals, and Parker himself on guitar, synthesizers, and various other instruments.

What began as Parker’s exploration of his own understanding of hip-hop production techniques—and how they related to his work in jazz—evolved into a creative blueprint for much of his subsequent output. The influence of The New Breed can be heard throughout later releases, including its expansive follow-up Suite For Max Brown, the intimate and deconstructionist solo guitar work of Forfolks, and the slow-burning, long-form improvisations of The Way Out of Easy.

The IA11 Edition CD includes two previously digital-only bonus tracks, alongside a newly designed booklet featuring unpublished session photographs, new liner notes by album co-producer Paul Bryan, and an in-depth conversation between Jeff Parker and Scott McNiece, co-founder of International Anthem.

“...equally rooted in jazz and funk, and built upon beat-making experiments…”
- Jason P Woodbury, Aquarium Drunkard