Jakob Magnússon has lived many lives that are a confluence of extraordinary musical talent, TV & film production work, environmental activism, and even a stint as the cultural attaché of the Icelandic embassy in London. His new musical project, Jack Magnet Science, is the latest endeavor in his rolodex of multi-hyphenism. The project is an amalgamation of members of the prolific Icelandic band Stuðmenn, which he co-founded, and top call US-based jazz titans such as Peter Erskine (Weather Report, Steps Ahead) and Matthew Garrison (Shapeshifter, The Zawinul Syndicate). The future-forward ensemble has released their second single “ITSYAMO,” available now via Floki Studios.
"ITSYAMO" introduces listeners to landscapes of a far away imaginary land of peace and prosperity. It was the only chart-based piece on the album unlike the other six tracks that were mostly improvised creations. Disa created the vocal lines culminating the exotic word ITSYAMO, the natural title of the soundtrack of dream-like textures.
The creation of Future Forecast spurred from three days of improvisation which culminated into hours of music split over 72 tracks that then provided the basis for 7 brand new tracks, each detailing a sonic exploration of its own.
None of us had ever witnessed or been a part of something like this before,” Magnússon reflects now, still in awe at the effect Flóki had on this group, “A new band that mixed very old friends with strangers. In the serenity and remoteness of northern Iceland, the music just came to us and things kept intuitively flowing. There were a few charts on hand as a starting point but those were soon abandoned - except one. Someone would call out a chord or figure and off they went. We all had open minds, determined to just allow new adventures to happen.
At the same time, given Magnússon’s conservationist background and the settings in which the music was made, it’s hard not to read a double meaning — as if Future Forecast depicts a fate less disastrous than the one the world currently faces. “We wanted to make an album that would sound like one could imagine inventive new music sounding in the future,” Magnússon continues, “Using modern technology, no cliches allowed, no preconceived ideas” he says.
“Once the key grooves and moods had been created, we started editing for months. Then began the actual construction work while continuing with overdubs until we were all happy. Then we sent the tracks for mixing by Daniel Goodwyn in New York. The album was finally mastered in Los Angeles by none other than maestro "synth kingpin" Scott Kinsey.
What began as a one-off gathering does not end here. Magnússon has ambitions to tour with the group and continue to comb through the session tracks to see what other tracks can come of it and coordinate subsequent sessions in the future.
Aside from plans to tour and record more, each member of Jack Magnet Science recounts a transformative experience at Floki Studios that rekindled their love for making music, “This musical experience reignited my passion for creating and recording new music,” reflected Erskine on a radio interview shortly after the sessions.
That is the sound of Future Forecast—a way forward, without boundaries, suddenly aware of how many more possibilities await.
Future Forecast will be available on all platforms worldwide via Floki Studios on June 8, 2024 which also marks the groups live debut at Reykjavik’s Harpa Concert Hall. Jack Magnet Science happen to be one of the key musical attractions at this year’s highly regarded Reykjavik Art Festival, together with Jacob Collier.
(Tickets can be purchased on tix.is)
