Local jazz maestro pilots his sonic spaceship upwards on Pool Sharks

Jazz can sometimes seem like a private club, with barriers to entry if you haven’t done enough homework. But that’s not the case with up-and-coming keyboard wizard Joe Kaptein, whose music - infused with funk and fusion alongside more traditional modes - seems geared toward an enjoyable listening experience as much as giving his players space to flex their chops.

Last year’s Eternal Afternoon was Kaptein’s first album arranged and produced with a full band, and would have drawn his biggest listenership thus far, but his Bandcamp page reveals recordings stretching back to 2018.

Some feature him playing every instrument (Japanese Pool Masters, Spring Green), one is a collection of Burt Bacharach covers (Ode to Burt), and another - Nu Zild Songbook Vol. 1 - contains versions of classic Split Enz, Bic Runga, and Exponents tunes.

The discography paints a picture of an accomplished, hungry musician, happy to release work as and when he sees fit. His profile was elevated when Princess Chelsea recruited him for her band The Dream Warriors, a role which has seen him crank out a keyboard solo at the AMAs and tour America.

Kaptein and local luminary Nathan Haines have collaborated on each other’s records, and in their group Soft Chaos -and he’s also part of The Circling Sun, led by the estimable Julien Dyne.

What continues to impress on Pool Sharks isn’t just his technical nous on the keys, but an ability to pen thoroughly inviting compositions. Even the 30-second burst of hyperactive synth ‘n’ drums called ‘Twelve Foot Taco’ is more affable than abrasive.

There’s no discord here, and everything stays relatively chill and cheerful. Tracks like ‘Sleepy Space Cadet’ and the 10-minute ‘Second Wind’ delve into the cosmic end of the genre, helped along by the alternately squelchy and twinkling sounds emanating from what Kaptein describes as a "sonic spaceship of several '70s keyboards".

Others like ‘Sunday Arvo l’ and ‘ll’ are more sturdily rhythmic and funky, and ‘Herb Alpert’, named after the famed trumpet player, leans into its chirpiness without a hint of self-doubt. Kaptein has a way with happy musical motifs that never tip over into cheese (but come tantalisingly close).

Local producer Christoph El’ Truento has spoken about his commitment to keeping dub weird, and I get the same sense from Kaptein with regard to jazz.

There’s an abundance of personality - eccentricity even - that stands out in a potentially boilerplate mode of music-making. On bFM recently, he spoke about including an element of sarcasm, which can’t be easy in instrumental music, but does come across.

He’s surrounded by a new band on this album - the titular Pool Sharks - and has released it on his own imprint, Jandal Records. It’s a great name for a label promising “interesting music from Aotearoa”, and the LP sets a high benchmark for acts to come.

Juniper by Joy Crookes

Apparently, the four years between Joy Crookes’ debut and this follow-up were a tough time for her, and that’s had an effect on her music. Less flamboyant and celebratory, Juniper is still an excellent offering of neo-soul, and in fact, the newfound darkness fits well, adding a charge of danger to tunes that remain fun to sing along to.

Getting Killed by Geese

This Brooklyn band is enjoying a moment of critical buzz, and with good reason: they’re one of those acts that surprise at every turn. Vocalist Cameron Winter can belt out catchy vocal lines, but his delivery is far from typical. Layers of percussion drape over otherwise sparse tunes. Unusual guitar and bass tones emerge from the background. Essentially, they don’t sound like anyone else, but fans of psych and classic rock (and songs that pull together for a good swelling chorus) will find plenty to enjoy.