Standing Circle - Standing Circle (2026) [Hi-Res]

The Melbourne-based musical ensemble Standing Circle, led by guitarist, vocalist, and instrument innovator Lorenzo Larry Crestani, has delivered its self-titled debut album. The bandleader, previously known for his work with the ethno-jazz collective Black Jesus Experience, incorporates a rare custom instrument known as the kraartar — an electrified and modernized variation of the traditional Ethiopian krar lyre. The ensemble's sound operates at the intersection of experimental jazz, ethno-jazz, funk, and world music traditions, relying heavily on Ethiopian melodic structures as its primary compositional anchor.

Recorded live at Australia's The Grove studios, the album captures the fluid, improvisational dynamics characteristic of the group's performances. The core lineup includes keyboardist Hue Blanes on Fender Rhodes and synthesizers, electric bassist Richard Rose, drummer Sam Young, and percussionists Kahan Harper and Gontse Makhene. Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Nick Herrera, the eight-track release on La Sape Records fuses polyrhythmic percussion setups, driving funk basslines, and forward-thinking guitar and synth arrangements.

Tracklist:
1. Standing Circle - Liftoff
2. Standing Circle - The Run Up
3. Standing Circle - Scapegoat
4. Standing Circle - The Landing
5. Standing Circle - Talking Trees
6. Standing Circle - Chant for Now
7. Standing Circle - The Seed
8. Standing Circle - New Flower