J4F
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J4F

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain | SELF

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain | SELF
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"Have fun having fun could be J4F's motto"

Have fun having fun could be J4F's motto. This Barcelona-based quartet has spent a while exploring all possible routes of jazz.

David Talleda, IcatJazz Ràdio - David Talleda, IcatJazz Ràdio


"Magnetic patterns create a smooth synthesis between musicians and fans"

J4F is exactly this – a project created exclusively to encourage people to have a good time, to get moving..., where magnetic patterns create a smooth synthesis between musicians and fans.

Quim Cabezas, Distrito Jazz - Quim Cabezas, Distrito Jazz


"Magnificent canvas that now appears to us before our astonished senses."

In this new “World Groove” we find convergence of paths leading to a workshop where all the strokes of each component are crucial to get to observe the magnificent canvas that now appears to us before our astonished senses.

Jon Bilbao en Ruta 66 –Discomático– (nº abril 2010) - Jon Bilbao en Ruta 66 –Discomático– (nº abril 2010)


"The record sweats urban themes and black skies, smoke and lounge bars..."

What good vibes transmitted by these four Catalans, because if you talk about jazz funk or some might think that your tastes do not agree with those styles, but to understand and enjoy this debut album J4F (Just4Fun) parked there to stop the ever-present bias and just let go. Sure that before you know it and you have caught. I find it impossible to hear the third single from the album, Loneliness, and who think that there can not seduce that tune. Ishtar (vocals and percussion) sings in English, but do not cut in half or mixed with stanzas sung in Portuguese or make matters entirely in Portuguese (Eu I Love You) or Castilian (in Reggae estrelado Lay raps fluently and uses letters complacent As in guarachón HipHop). Theirs is focused on the acid jazz and funk more "wiggle hips" without forgetting his Latin cadences. From the original Break Da House already sensed that the debut of Barcelona will be a breath of fresh air in the electronic dance music, but progress in reading is come to perceive much more nuanced, as saying its components in an interview referring to his nocturnal. They claimed that it is a disc to be played at night and have a point, as The record sweats urban themes and black skies, smoke and lounge bars where the walls are hung with posters of the Brand New Heavies and Miles Davis. Clearly it is a fusion album, where the four parts (vocals, saxophones, keyboards and drums) are essential to reach the concept that has become popular and with which they have dubbed their music: World Groove. Hopefully still in vogue for some of the most heavily traveled our country, because I think that it is time to ignore all that shit, say dance, filling the halls and that is so lacking in feeling like the inside of some politicians. When Ishtar sings with feeling does a black queen soul, while Albert Ermengol Miguez and Mayol (keyboards and drums respectively) create a strong rhythm section that has nothing false. If you're into creative and original material, make sure you follow them up, you won't be disappointed.

Jon Bilbao, Stereozona - Jon Bilbao, Stereozona


"A special sound that stands out from the recent releases our country has seen."

A great album, as you'd normally say on many occasions -..- A special sound that stands out from the recent releases our country has seen.

Pilar Arzak, Peligrosamente Juntos, RADIO 3, 28/01/2010 - Pilar Arzak, Peligrosamente Juntos, RADIO 3, 28/01/2010


"Rock, jazz and groove, lots of groove, come together in this group's music, transmitting vitality and energy in abundance."

Rock, jazz and groove, lots of groove, come together in this group's music, transmitting vitality and energy in abundance. Evidence that the rhythm section is what articulates the band's sound found in the leadership of Ermen drummer and bassist Al Bert, that unfolds on keyboards. The title of his first album, World Groove, could not be more explicit in this regard.

Program of Festival Altaveu Frontera de Sant Boi de Llobregat ’10 - Program of Festival Altaveu Frontera de Sant Boi de Llobregat ’10


"You'd think you were hearing a jam session coming from a Brooklyn basement."

Just for Fun, yup, that about sums up the global patio party this Barcelona-based band (also known as J4F) threw together on its album World Groove. From the get-go numbers like "Break da House!" are filled with lots of jazz and scatting. In fact, the sound is so experimental in an American kind of way that it's hard to imagine it came from the land of flamenco. That goes for the lyrics as well. Sung mostly in English, you'd think you were hearing a jam session coming from a Brooklyn basement.

But over the last decade, Spain has experienced a massive surge in immigration contributing to the country's global tone. The album is a global tour. Roll your hips and go with the upbeat flow on "Groovin' Beat," then get down to the wah wah and do your Brazilian thang to the jazzy, samba-like percussion and Portuguese lyrics of "Green Tea" and "En Te Amo." As the name implies, "Ishtar" will make you feel as though you've been swept away by the winds of the Sahara, but suddenly the hip hop number "Reggae Estrelado" will land you back in Spain in a way you never thought possible. First, it really is more of a rap than a reggae, but this isn't our country so we figure they'll define that as they see fit. Second, and more importantly, that signature lisp and strong Castillian intonation will remind you that while Catalonia might want to break away, it's still part of the mother country we all know as Spain.

J. Gage, Go2 Music - J. Gage, Go2 Music


"J4F WINS JAZZ CONTEST"

11/07/2008
JUST 4 FUN gana la segunda edición del Espacio “Jazz Jove dels Països Catalans”

Os informamos que el ganador de la segunda edición del Espacio “Jazz Jove dels Països Catalans” ha sido JUST 4 FUN. Este cuarteto barcelonés formado por Ishtar, LaiQo, Al Bert i Ermen Gol, presentó un espectáculo lleno de bases rítmicas articuladas a partir del lenguaje armónico del jazz.

Mediante votación popular, a través de un boleto o sms, el público asistente a la XV Muestra de Jazz de Tortosa eligió JUST 4 FUN como el mejor grupo del Espacio “Jazz Jove dels Països Catalans”, el cual figurará como cabeza de cartel dentro de la próxima Muestra, el año 2009.

El Espacio, organizado en el marco de la XV Muestra de Jazz de Tortosa, tiene como objetivo fomentar la participación de nuevos solistas y grupos de jazz residentes en Cataluña, Comunidad Valenciana e Islas Baleares. En esta edición se seleccionaron nueve grupos, de un total de veintisiete que se presentaron.

La XV Muestra de Jazz de Tortosa, organizada por la concejalía de Cultura del Ayuntamiento de Tortosa y Acadèmic, ha conmemorado 15 años de historia. Bajo el lema Quins_anys!!, el festival ha acogido una treintena de actuaciones entre las cuales destacaron el grup norteamericano Naturally 7, la pianista y compositora japonesa Hiromi, el músico cubano Arturo Sandoval y la Acadèmic Big Band.

Además de la presencia musical del jazz en las calles y locales de Tortosa, la Muestra contó con la V edición de la Muestra de Cocina Cajún, una propuesta única en el estado, donde se pudo degustar una fusión de sabores entre la gastronomía cajún, propia de Nueva Orleans, y la cocina tradicional de las Tierras del Ebro.

- Mostra de Jazz de Tortosa


Discography

"World Groove" (2008)
"Live At Nautilus" (2012)

Photos

Bio

STYLE:
J4F's second record, "Live at Nautilus", shows a shift to a more raw sound than that of their previous album, "World Groove", whilst still maintaining the rhythmic essence that has always characterised the band. The harshness of this new sound is seen not only in the music (Electro, Rock, Groove), but also in the lyrics (in Catalan, Portuguese, Spanish and English) that echo, both literally and metaphorically, the plight of the world and current society. The performance is planned as a non-stop DJ-style session, a seamless music ‘continuum' where everything is played, sung and brought together live.

BIO:
*2006: the band formed in Barcelona.

*2007: rehearsals and first performances in Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain. Began recording their first record, "World Groove", an entirely self-produced album.

*2008: "World Groove"’s premiere on 1st April in the legendary Luz de Gas club in Barcelona. This was followed by a series of performances that soon led to the band receiving wide recognition. They won 3 awards at varied festivals (Festinoval'08 and XV Mostra de Jazz de Tortosda), played at both the renowned Catalan SenglaRock festival (sharing the stage with AssTrio) and the popular Festes de Gracia (Barcelona), and became part of the emerging group selection of Barcelona "Emergents + aprop" '08-'09.

*2009: presentation tour of Catalonia's main venues organised by the Association of Concert Halls of Catalonia -ASACC-). These included the opening of the Black Music Festival in Salt (Girona), sharing the stage with both national artists (Txell Sust, Arianna Puello, Gnaposs, Mala Rodríguez ...) and international artists (Living Colour, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings) and the support slot of Mala Rodríguez at Salamander in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona). The tour ended in April at the renowned Jamboree in Barcelona. In the summer, they performed at Barcelona's Razzmatazz-3, at the XVI Mostra de Jazz de Tortosa (along with Diego "El Cigala", Take 6 and The Orginal Jazz Orchestra of Taller de Músics), at the Sant Miguel Mas i Mas Festival in Barcelona (with various artists) and at the XXI Festival Altaveu Frontera in Sant Boi de Llobregat (sharing the stage with Las Migas and Carles Dènia, and featuring alongside well-known groups such as The Pepper Pots, Love of Lesbian, Eliseo Parra, amongst many others).

*2010: winter roadshow organised by Artists En Ruta AIE (Association of Artists & Performers), travelling across the country (Mallorca, Madrid, Cadiz, Ceuta, Galicia, Burgos, Basque Country). In summer, they participated in the macrofestival "Montjuïc de Nit" in Barcelona (sharing the stage with Manel Camp & Llibert Fortuny and Lucrecia, amongst others). For the second consecutive year, they performed at the San Miguel Mas i Mas Festival in Barcelona (alongside Defunkt Soul and Lurine Cato & Barcelona Gospel Messengers) and the 22nd Mercat de Música Viva de Vic (MMVV '10).

*2011: the band moved into a Trio, without lead singer. The year is dedicated to creation, experimental work in studio and rehearsals, resulting in a new material that carries each member’s footprint and passion.

*2012: during spring the band recorded their second album, "Live at Nautilus", which directly reflects the essence of the new sound and staging: strict live. The preview of the new show is revealed in June in Barcelona, at venue Apolo[2].