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Shuffle Demons: Are You Really Real

By Anastasia Bogomolets
June 2, 2025
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Celebrating four decades of genre-blending jazz, the

Shuffle Demons

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Shuffle Demons return with Are You Really Real, a studio album that fuses funk, post-bop, theatrical satire and spiritual jazz. Influences ranging from

Eric Dolphy

woodwinds
1928 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Eric Dolphy and

Alice Coltrane

piano
1937 - 2007

" data-original-title="" title="">Alice Coltrane to the

" data-original-title="" title="">Red Hot Chili Peppers shape the band's eclectic high-energy aesthetic.

The opening track, "X Marks the Spot," sets the tone with multivoiced saxophone lines and a rhythm section that oscillates between swing and funk. Tenor saxophonists

Kelly Jefferson

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Kelly Jefferson and

Matt Lagan

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Lagan exchange solos that move from modal runs to jagged intervals, echoing

John Coltrane

saxophone
1926 - 1967

" data-original-title="" title="">John Coltrane's mid-'60s quartet. The piece showcases the group's tight ensemble writing and rhythmic agility.

The title track, "Are You Really Real," reflects on AI and authenticity through

Richard Underhill

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Richard Underhill's rhythmic spoken vocals over a groove that echoes

Tower of Power

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Tower of Power horn stabs and a locked-in rhythm section.

"Money is My Only Religion" pushes further into satire with Underhill's vocals set against syncopated funk and richly arranged horns. The arrangement recalls the theatricality of

Tom Waits

piano and vocals
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Waits and the harmonic density of

Weather Report

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">Weather Report. Rhythmic tension between the reeds and rhythm section builds to an expertly arranged finish.

In the contemplative "Out to Sea," Underhill's saxophone unfolds over ambient textures, creating a meditative atmosphere reminiscent of

Pharoah Sanders

saxophone, tenor
1940 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Pharoah Sanders' spiritual jazz. The slow-building structure reveals the group's introspective side while maintaining the flow.

"Ride the Wave" explores 7/4 time through layered repetition, subtly echoing

Steve Reich

composer / conductor
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Reich.

Mike Downes

bass
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Downes's bass solo is lyrical and restrained while the horns interlock in shifting patterns.

Stich Wynston

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Stich Wynston's drumming adds shimmering textures that lend the track a trance-like forward motion.

The album's stylistic breadth deepens as it progresses. Wynston's "Good Mourning" leans into

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman's harmolodics with interwoven horn lines creating a restless atmosphere. Drum solos disrupt the walking bass and saxophone narrative with expressive bursts, adding controlled chaos to the track's volatility.

Jefferson's "Bottom Dollar" draws from early '60s R&B-jazz crossover, propelled by blues-infused tenor phrasing and a punchy rhythm section. The groove has a vintage feel, but the execution is sharp and contemporary. Jefferson's soloing walks a line between muscular phrasing and measured restraint.

Lagan's "Scala Rosa" brings a cerebral contrast with sparse textures and angular lines anchored by Wynston's colour-rich drumming—melodic in its own right. The piece features focused solos from both Lagan and Downes, emphasizing space and structure over density.

"Sunny Side Up" adds a New Orleans second-line rhythm and buoyant a cappella sax passages. The horns nod to old-time tunes and Downes performs a swinging bass solo grounded in classic jazz language. The track's shifting textures channel

Charles Mingus

bass, acoustic
1922 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Mingus's flair for blending tradition with irreverence.

"Prism" dives into group improvisation, producing a raw, exploratory soundscape. A dialogue between bass and drums during the solo is tense and filled with unexpected turns.

"In the Air," composed by Underhill, returns to structured hard bop with driving swing and sharply defined horn lines. Tenor duels and crisp rhythm section work fuel the piece with late-Coltrane urgency.

The momentum continues through two groove-driven closers. "Nice Signal" rides a fat repetitive funk riff reminiscent of '70s

Grant Green

guitar
1935 - 1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Grant Green and the

The Meters

band / ensemble / orchestra

" data-original-title="" title="">The Meters. The saxophones are phrasing-oriented, prioritizing groove over harmony. The result is lean, infectious and tightly constructed.

"Run the World" fuses Afrobeat with bebop energy, layering

Fela Kuti

saxophone
1938 - 1997

" data-original-title="" title="">Fela Kuti-inspired rhythms with punchy, meticulously crafted horn lines. The saxophones use rhythmic motifs as propulsive elements while polyrhythmic drumming reinforces the groove's intensity.

Are You Really Real captures the Shuffle Demons at their most versatile and inventive. Balancing social commentary with genre fluidity and ensemble precision, the album reaffirms their commitment to pushing jazz into bold, unexpected directions.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

X Marks The Spot; Out To Sea; Are You Really Real; Bottom Dollar; Ride The Wave; Good Mourning; Money Is My Only Religion; Scala Rosa; Sunny Side Up; Prism; In The Air; Nice Signal; Run The World.

Personnel

Shuffle Demons

band / ensemble / orchestra

Richard Underhill

saxophone, alto

Kelly Jefferson

saxophone, tenor

Matt Lagan

saxophone

Mike Downes

bass

Stich Wynston

drums

Album information

Title: Are You Really Real | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Alma Records

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