Blink 7 Marcus Klossek

• 1 Violet Shift 04:58
• 2 Go | Not 05:25
• 3 Half Past Never 05:17
• 4 Ephyra (Third Dance) 05:01
• 5 Another One Beyond 05:42
• 6 Begin Again, Swift 05:39
• 7 Glass Bridges 06:23
• 8 Unexpected Return 02:50
• Total Runtime 41:15

Info for Blink 7

Berlin-based guitarist Marcus Klossek has long been one of the most distinctive voices on the Fender Telecaster in contemporary jazz. With Blink 7, he takes the next step in an ongoing musical journey that has evolved steadily over the past decade – a journey that began with his long-standing Electric Trio and expanded into the dynamic, seven-piece ensemble that now bears the Blink name.

The foundation of Blink 7 remains Klossek’s trusted rhythm section with Carsten Hein on bass and Derek Scherzer on drums, a unit known for its tight interplay and deep groove. Added to that core are three of Berlin’s most creative horn players – Nikolaus Neuser (trumpet), Ignaz Dinné (tenor saxophone), and Anke Lucks (trombone) – musicians equally at home in contemporary jazz, free improvisation and modern composition.

A major new voice in the lineup is Chamin, a Korean vocalist who brings both a fresh sonic texture and an emotional depth to the group’s sound. She contributes Korean lyrics and vocals to three tracks – Go | Not, Another One Beyond and Unexpected Return – singing in her native language with a presence that shifts between intimacy, mystery and rhythmic precision. Her voice often functions both as a lead and part of the ensemble texture – at times blending seamlessly with the horns, at others emerging as a subtle emotional thread.

While Klossek composed the music for Blink 6 before knowing exactly who would play it, Blink 7 was written with this specific lineup in mind. Every piece was tailored to the individual musicians, reflecting their personalities, phrasing and improvisational strengths. “I knew what each of them could bring to the table,” says Klossek. “That changed the way I wrote – it became more focused, more personal and at the same time more open.”

The resulting album shows a band that has truly grown together. The music moves effortlessly between intricate composition and free improvisation, between detailed structure and spontaneous flow. The writing remains clear and purposeful, yet it leaves plenty of room for surprise – for moments when the musicians take the material somewhere completely new.

The opener Violet Shift sets the tone with a mechanical yet fluid rhythmic design, the ensemble moving like clockwork through its interlocking parts. Go | Not begins with whispered, mysterious vocals that unfold into an understated groove. Ephyra (Third Dance) reveals a deep, melancholic beauty, while Half Past Never features one of Klossek’s most expressive guitar solos – spontaneous, raw and unpredictable.

Another One Beyond and Begin Again, Swift highlight the ensemble’s rhythmic agility and collective energy. In Glass Bridges, bassist Carsten Hein creates otherworldly textures that expand the group’s sound world beyond the acoustic spectrum. The closing track, Unexpected Return, brings the album to a powerful and driven conclusion, with Chamin’s voice functioning as a natural extension of the horn section – part of the ensemble’s momentum rather than above it.

Throughout the album, Klossek’s guitar remains an integral part of the fabric rather than a dominating voice. The music is not a showcase for guitar, but for a band – a genuine collective sound where composition, interplay, and individual expression are inseparably connected.

Recorded in Berlin with engineer Tito Knapp and mixed together with Klossek, Blink 7 has received its final mastering once again at Bauer Studios in Ludwigsburg. The result is a warm, transparent sound that captures both the precision of the arrangements and the spontaneity of the performances.

With Blink 7, Marcus Klossek presents a mature, confident ensemble that embodies the best of today’s European jazz – music that’s open, dynamic and deeply collaborative. The album combines compositional clarity with emotional immediacy, confirming Klossek’s reputation as one of Berlin’s most distinctive and inventive bandleaders.

Nikolaus Neuser, trumpet
Ignaz Dinné, tenor saxophone
Anke Lucks, trombone
Chamin, vocals (tracks 2, 5, 8)
Marcus Klossek, electric guitar
Carsten Hein, electric bass
Derek Scherzer, drums

Recorded by Tito Knapp at Zentrifuge Studio Berlin in July 2025
Mixed by Tito Knapp and Marcus Klossek in August 2025
Mastered by Stefan Albrecht at Bauer Studios Ludwigsburg in November 2025
Produced by Marcus Klossek

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This album contains no booklet.