Surprise Chef’s music is based on evoking mood; their vivid arrangements utilize time and space to build soundscapes that invite the listener into their world. The quintet’s distinct sound pulls from 70s film scores, the funkier side of jazz, and the samples that form the foundation of hip hop. They push the boundaries of instrumental soul and funk with their own approach honed by countless hours in the studio, studying the masters, and perhaps most importantly, the ‘tyranny of distance’ that dictates a unique perspective to their music. Hailing from just outside of Melbourne, Australia their first two albums, All News Is Good News and Daylight Savings amassed a die-hard fanbase and brought their sound from their home studio to every corner of the globe. Their self proclaimed “moody shades of instrumental jazz-funk” have a bit of everything: punchy drums, infectious keys, rhythm guitar you might hear on a Studio One record, and flute lines that could be from a Blue Note session. But when you step back and take in the entirety of their sound and approach, you’ll hear and see a group greater than the sum of its parts.
“Killer” – Giles Peterson
“One of the finest soul and funk releases of the past 18 months.” – CLASH Magazine
“...killer classic soul and R&B sounds, with backbeat that betray the subtle influence of hip-hop” - Bandcamp New and Notable
“If you dig Khruangbin, David Axelrod...or Lalo Schifrin, definitely give this a spin” - Brooklyn Vegan
"Effortlessly Cool” – CLASH Magazine
“...Transportative” - FADER
“Heady, instrumental swirl” - Stereogum
“Daylight Savings is an effortlessly lovable album” – NME
