Shez Raja | Spellbound | June 20, 2025
Trailblazing Indo-Jazz master Shez Raja conjures the spirit of his thundering live shows for the release of Spellbound, out June 20th.
Known for his collaborations with some of the biggest names in jazz, the album stays true to form, featuring drum icon Dennis Chambers, guitar virtuoso John Etheridge, and the phenomenal sitar player Roopa Panesar, alongside an all-star cast of musicians.
Voted one of the ‘Hottest Bass Players in the World’ by readers of Bass Player magazine, the British-Asian virtuoso has built a reputation for a highly distinctive style that blends the raw power of funk and rock with the intricate beauty of Eastern traditions.
Leading the way on his custom hand-crafted 5-string Fodera bass, Raja leads an ever-evolving ensemble of musicians through seven studio tracks and two live takes characterised by deep grooves, dazzling improvisation, and hypnotic soundscapes.
The underlying spirit of East-meets-West is captured not only in the compositions but in the line-up itself. Paying tribute to his Asian roots – a passion deepened through trips to the Punjab region with his father – there are contributions from sitar virtuoso Roopa Panesar, renowned Pakistani bansuri master Ahsan Papu, seventh-generation sarangi player Zohaib Hassan, singing prodigy Fiza Haider, and Indian tabla maestro Gurdain Rayatt.
This dedication to the rich tradition of the Indian sub-continent is balanced deftly with the power of Western music: the fiery guitar work of Guthrie Govan and John Etheridge, the rhythmic mastery of Dennis Chambers on drums, and the soulful saxophones of Tony Kofi and Vasilis Xenopoulos. The core rhythm section draws us back to the UK jazz scene, which has for so long been a mainstay on Shez’s calendar: Sophie Alloway and Jamie Murray on drums, with Chris Jerome on keyboards, together uniting the two worlds into a dynamic, fluid fusion.
As the name suggests, Raja’s mesmerising melodies, intricate rhythms, and boundary-pushing compositions are set to provide fans old and new with a spellbinding experience. With audiophile-grade sound quality on both vinyl and CD assured by Gearbox Records’ “Gearbox Cut” stamp, Spellbound is sure to transport, transform, and inspire listeners in 2025.
Line up
Shez Raja – bass guitar
Dennis Chambers – drums
Guthrie Govan – electric guitar
John Etheridge – electric guitar Roopa Panesar – sitar
Tony Kofi – saxophone
Ahsan Papu – bansuri
Zohaib Hassan – sarangi
Fiza Haider – voice
Gurdain Rayatt – tabla
Vasilis Xenopoulos – saxophone Sophie Alloway – drums
Jamie Murray – drums
Chris Jerome – keyboards
Track Listing
Quantum spirits
Maharishi mindtrip
Spellbound
Together we fly
Lucid path to the golden lotus
Vishnu
Through the multiverse
Quantum spirits (Live)
Rabbits (Live)
PR Quotes
Jazzism (NL)
“His solos on this album are unparalleled“
La Habitacion del Jazz (ES)
“one of the most outstanding bassists in the UK. He effortlessly fuses the Western and Eastern worlds. An exciting blend of jazz, groove, funk, and Eastern music, with a spark of mysticism”
SK Jazz (SK)
“Its high tempo and energetic approach may not suit everyone, but it definitely offers a diverse sonic range of melodic compositions with virtuoso guests, where everyone will find something!”
Esensja (PL)
“It’s not without reason that he’s been called a virtuoso of the instrument”
Jazzflits (NL)
“an overwhelming phenomenon… the grooves of Shez Raja are powerful. The mix of Indian instruments with funky rhythms, all composed by Raja, creates a whirlwind of musical atmospheres.“
Cancion Aquemarropa (PL)
“his dedication to the rich tradition of the Indian subcontinent is skillfully balanced by the power of Western music”
Era Jazzu (PL)
“an explosion of sounds”
Jazz Mania (BE)
“a record to be warmly recommended to fans of fusion (not only jazz and rock, but also East and West)”
The Walkers (JP)
“jazz, rock, funk and Indian music weave together, projecting an intense and unforgettable presence”
Maxazine (NL)
“It remains incredible what Raja manages to extract from the instrument – a five-string bass specially built for him. The influence of legends like Jaco Pastorius is evident, but precisely by mixing the sound with Eastern tones, a unique sound emerges”
Jazz in Family (IT)
“arcane grooves, sonic spirituality and ancestral visions”
The Odyssey (USA)
“a hypnotic, soul-stirring experience best heard on vinyl and felt in full”
Jazz Weekly (US)
“mixes Mediterranean and Indian sounds on this exciting fusioned release… a journey worthy of Marco Polo!“
DPRP (UK)
“I certainly went through the multiverse, whilst listening to this album. In fact, I was totally Spellbound!”
Cuttings
