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Critically-acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and activist Isaiah Collier and rising drummer Tim Regis will be releasing a vinyl-only EP Live in the Listening Room in partnership with The Vinyl Factory. The limited edition 500-pressing exclusive is available to pre-order now and will begin shipping on September 24th. |
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The duo album was recorded on January 30, 2025 capturing an all-improv performance in Devon Turnbull (OJAS’) Hi-Fi Listening Room Dream No.1, located at 180 Studios in London. Connecting with Turnbull was initiated through Collier’s manager/producer Sonny Daze (Division 81 Records), an astute audiophile who saw opportunity for the two to collaborate after expressing interest in his bespoke sound systems and audio equipment. The three met at Turnbull’s house in the fall of 2021, discussed music, and Turnbull pulled out a copy of Kahil El’Zabar’s 2022 record, A Time for Healing and asked if they had heard it. Collier then revealed that not only was El’Zabar a mentor, but that he performed on the record. Since then, Daze has set up a string of performances with Collier performing at Turnbull’s OJAS Listening Rooms in Chelsea, Brooklyn, San Francisco, and most recently, the recording encapsulating the performance in the London space. |
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Capturing a 26-minute performance, the album is broken down into 3 tracks. Side A comes out of the gate with the fiery “Pacing (Devon’s Room)” setting the tone with Collier’s commanding confidence and ferocity and Regis’ relentlessly guiding the conversation with dynamism and intensity. The title “Pacing” is inspired by Collier and Regis’ urgency to explore and warm up their first time playing together in the listening room setting and waste no time. Side B begins with the contrasting “2nd Genesis” as Regis’ introduces the song with a mysterious drum solo supported by Collier’s drone and incorporation of effects highlighting a more textured side of the duo’s simpatico chemistry. Collier builds with a motif slightly reminiscent of one of his fan favorites “Love” off of his first 2024 release The Almighty and the two escalate the energy with controlled, unrushed vigor before the track simmers down with more saxophone effects and snare & cymbal rolls. The final track “Den of Iniquity (Orange Satan) (Beelzebub)” starts with Collier initiating a sax & effects loop before adding another layer of his signature bullhorn building a layered, fierce hypnosis with both musicians leaving it all in the listening room that lent itself so well to the freedom of expression and exploration captured in the adventurous new vinyl EP. |
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“This Recording is an interesting dichotomy between familiarity and unknowns, says Collier,” “A new collaboration invites a new experience, and openly that’s what we did. Just a conversation between two kindred spirits in the multiverse of sound where the infinite and inspiration dance seamlessly. Just when one thought they had hit a wall creatively we springboard into a new direction, not because of the similar thinking but when the discord arises so that we may find a new chord and rhythm.” |
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“This album is a conversation in rhythm and breath — a duo where traditional structure dissolves and instinct takes the lead. It served as a fresh space to explore raw expression : not bound by charts or forms but rather live creation of both,” continues Regis, “Myself on drums and Isaiah on saxophone, we sonically explored — trading roles, sharing silences, colliding in chaos, and finding unplanned coherence. Nothing was planned, yet everything was intentional. I hope it healed and brought clarity to those who listened.” |
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The session was engineered by Jamie Harley recording direct-to-tape. Producer Sonny Daze added in live space echo reminiscence to classic records by Lee “Scratch” Perry and Curtis Mayfield. “I wanted to add an extra dimension by showcasing a fragmentation of sound and how it all comes back together,” says Daze of his approach to adding in the space echo. The front cover art reflects the production and input mapping Harley and Daze setup to record the session reel-to-reel with the incorporation of saxophone, effects, drums, and space echo. |
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Collier and Regis initially connected in New York City in 2020 regularly engaging in practice sessions during the pandemic. Over the past year, Collier has regularly enlisted Regis on his final tour with his quartet project, The Chosen Few, and is drawn to Regis’ kindred energy and one-of-a-kind drumming style. “He’s the only person to use a double pedal, and do it in a way that works in a duo, experimental, and straight-ahead styles,” Collier attests. |
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Live in the Listening Room can be ordered directly on The Vinyl Factory’s website HERE. |
