A pivotal figure in the vibrant tapestry of the Los Angeles music scene, trumpeter, composer, and producer Josef Leimberg has long been the silent architect behind some of contemporary music's most groundbreaking sounds. After two decades of lending his virtuosic talent to hip-hop and R&B royalty, including extensive production work for Snoop Dogg and touring with Robin Thicke, Leimberg stepped into the spotlight with his highly anticipated solo debut, *Astral Progressions*. Released on World Galaxy Records in 2016, this album is not merely a collection of tracks; it's the unfiltered artistic statement of a master finally unleashed....
A pivotal figure in the vibrant tapestry of the Los Angeles music scene, trumpeter, composer, and producer Josef Leimberg has long been the silent architect behind some of contemporary music's most groundbreaking sounds. After two decades of lending his virtuosic talent to hip-hop and R&B royalty, including extensive production work for Snoop Dogg and touring with Robin Thicke, Leimberg stepped into the spotlight with his highly anticipated solo debut, *Astral Progressions*. Released on World Galaxy Records in 2016, this album is not merely a collection of tracks; it's the unfiltered artistic statement of a master finally unleashed.
Leimberg’s journey to solo artistry was paved by significant contributions to the sonic landscape of modern music. As a key songwriter and performer, and half of the mysterious LoveDragon duo with Terrace Martin, he played an instrumental role in shaping the jazz-infused soundscape of Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning masterpiece, *To Pimp a Butterfly*. This seminal work brought his unique blend of spiritual jazz, cosmic funk, and hip-hop sensibilities to a global audience, setting the stage for his own visionary project. With *Astral Progressions*, Leimberg channels this rich collaborative history into a deeply personal expression, offering listeners "the kind of music I like to make with no limitation or expectations."
*Astral Progressions* is a landmark record that masterfully intertwines the rich legacy of '70s jazz fusion with the pulsating rhythms of modern funk and hip-hop beats. Drawing inspiration from jazz titans like Miles Davis and Woody Shaw, while resonating with the contemporary energy of peers such as Kamasi Washington and Thundercat, Leimberg crafts an alternative jazz experience that is both deeply rooted and boldly forward-looking. The album propels listeners into a distinctly cosmic realm, imbued with a profound sense of "positive vibe and spiritual consciousness," a guiding principle for Leimberg’s creative output.
Upon its release, *Astral Progressions* garnered immediate critical acclaim, hailed by Music Is My Sanctuary as "without question one of the best albums of the year" and a "landmark spiritual jazz record." The Los Angeles Times lauded its ability to blast into a "decidedly cosmic realm," affirming its unique position in the jazz canon. Josef Leimberg’s *Astral Progressions* stands as a testament to his artistic integrity, a powerful solo statement from a trusted collaborator who has evolved into a visionary bandleader, forever shaping the evolution of jazz.
Alpha Pup