Pre-order the vinyl from the global psychedelic jazz collective Ari Tsugi

Kto za kampaňou stojí?

Sme Slnko Records. Vydavateľstvo s viac ako 180 vydanými titulmi od roku 2001. Nájdete u nás množstvo zaujímavej hudby, známe mená aj nové tváre: Jana Kirschner, Tante Elze, Zabiť Františka, Katarzia, Longital, Andrej Šeban, Darkness Positive, God and Eve, Korben Dallas, Billy Barman, Leto s Monikou, Valér Miko, Bad Karma Boy, Zuzana Homolová a ďalší. Viac o nás nájdete na slnkorecords.sk. 

Na čo získané peniaze použijeme?

Použijeme ich na kofinancovanie nákladov na lisovanie a tlač minimálne 300 kusov platní. V ďalšom kroku, ak sa podarí, by sme ich použili aj na pokrytie nákladov na zvukovú posprodukciu LP a tlač plagátu s textami, prípadne sčasti pokryjeme náklady Ari Tsugi na tvorbu videoklipov. 

From Glastonbury to Slovakia

From Tokyo to Glasgow, through London, Vilnius, Rio de Janeiro, all the way to Bratislava. That’s one way to describe the jazz-rock journey of the international ensemble Ari Tsugi, which performed at several European festivals last year – including the prestigious Glastonbury – gained support from the respected BBC 6 Music, and is planning to release its new album in autumn 2025 on the Slovak independent label Slnko Records.

What led to this unique connection is a story we’ll share in the lines that follow. In any case, we would love to release this amazing music from young, talented artists on vinyl. Help us co-finance the production costs by pre-ordering a record that magically bridges genres and music scenes across countries.

A Jazz-Rock Ride Across Continents

Ari Tsugi weaves a tapestry of sound, blending the improvisational spirit of jazz, the swirling colors of psychedelic rock, and the vibrant rhythms of Brazilian music. This truly international ensemble unites musicians from France, Scotland, England, Lithuania, Hungary, and Slovakia/Japan. At the heart of their sound is lead vocalist Alma Rechtman, a rising star on the French music scene. Alongside her are Mashu Harada, Clement Gaud, Joe Weisberg and Angus Macdonald – each bringing their own voice to the collective’s rich dialogue. 

The Brick Lane Jazz Festival describes their performances as warm, kind, and radiating a deep love for music.

The Slovak Connection

So how does a band like this end up with a Slovak label? The connection was initiated by one of Ari Tsugi’s founders, guitarist Mashu Harada, who spent his formative years in Bratislava, where he attended high school.

“Bratislava and Slovakia are an artistic ground where I grew up. Nights full of conversation, improvisation, and old vinyl records forever changed my view of music and the world.”

Mashu’s musical roots go back to Slovak folk songs sung to him by his mother. From Slovak underground and legends like Dežo Ursiny and Marián Varga, he found his way to modern jazz and Brazilian folklore. Currently, in addition to music, he is pursuing a PhD in materials for nuclear fusion reactors at a university in London.

Morning Wind and Moon

The new album by Ari Tsugi is titled Ryto Vėjas ir Mėnulis (translated from Lithuanian: Morning Wind and Moon) and refers to the ever-shifting balance between connection and separation that defines human experience – falling in love, breaking apart, the dissolution and reconciliation of families, and even the forces of war and peace.

We aim to start pressing the vinyls during June/July. The LP sleeve will include an insert with song lyrics.

Choose one of the rewards and help us cover the production costs of this beautiful record. Thank you!

Who’s Behind the Campaign?

We are Slnko Records – a label with over 180 releases since 2001. You’ll find a diverse selection of music in our catalogue, both well-known names and fresh faces: Jana Kirschner, Tante Elze, Zabiť Františka, Katarzia, Longital, Andrej Šeban, Darkness Positive, God and Eve, Korben Dallas, Billy Barman, Leto s Monikou, Valér Miko, Bad Karma Boy, Zuzana Homolová, and many more. Learn more about us at slnkorecords.sk.

How Will the Funds Be Used?

The funds will help co-finance the pressing and printing of at least 300 vinyl records. In the next step, if possible, they will also cover the costs of audio post-production, printing of the lyric poster, and partially support Ari Tsugi in producing music videos.