GoGo Penguin Sign With Blue Note

British acoustic-electronic trio GoGo Penguin have landed a prestigious three-album deal with the famed Blue Note label, via Universal Music France.

The group come from Manchester and have carved their own sound and reputation from a range of influences that includes Brian Eno, John Cage, Massive Attack and the Aphex Twin. GoGo Penguin consist of pianist Chris Illingworth, bassist Nick Blacka and drummer Rob Turner.

The group have already played sold-out shows at such venues as Union Chapel in London, Le Batofar in Paris and the RNCM in their home town. Last year’s ‘v2.0’ album on Gondwana Records was nominated for the 2014 Barclaycard Mercury Prize, whose judges described it as “a stirring re-evaluation of what a piano trio should sound like in the 21st century.”

Here are the trio performing ‘Hopopono’ at last year’s Mercurys ceremony:

The album was GoGo Penguin’s follow-up to their 2012 debut ‘Fanfares,’ and the group have also won plaudits from the Guardian, who said: “Jazz, techno, hip-hop and dubstep are glimpsed here, but for all the looping motifs and dance floor vibes, this is the work of three sure-footed improvisers with deep jazz roots.”

The trio will be recording in May and June, and plan to release their first album for Blue Note early in 2016.

Format: UK English