Offie Mag

British jazz group Karma Quartet have given an example of what jazz fusion sounds like in 2024, with their track 'Deadpan' being inspired by a very particular social situation.

You're at a house party. You know a maximum of 5 per cent of the people there, and so, you mingle. It's sink or swim between the sink and bin of a muddied kitchen. And to your surprise, it's going well, as you've settled into a cruise control conversation with a stranger.

Housing crisis. Student loans. Whatever. The topic doesn't matter that much, for this conversation will be over before it starts. Or so you thought. Cos this matey's got conversation topics to burn.

Ronaldo or Messi? East vs South? Do you reckon those plants are real?

As the kitchen empties, this matey's conversation tank does not and you're treading water in it. You may as well hop on the WiFi and help yourself to a bag of crisps because you're not leaving this house for a good while.

In a roundabout way, that's what Karma Quartet were trying to convey with this song that, on contrary to the above, is quite lovely. The song tastefully spirals from one idea to another, tied together by the breakbeat drum patterns that may as well be the good bit of the house party happening in another room.

Jazz chords meeting Gen Z social angst? This is jazz fusion in 2024.