CLICK HERE TO LISTENCountermeasure is thrilled to release their fifth studio album, Guest Sessions Vol II. This new record features original music influenced by jazz, pop, folk, soul, and contemporary choral, showcasing a lineup of powerhouse solo instrumentalists. Guest Sessions Vol II is a concept album made up of original works composed by Aaron Jensen. Each track features one solo instrumentalist, supporting Countermeasure’s vocals. The album highlights collaborations with three multi-GRAMMY award-winning guests: bassist Braylon Lacy (Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin), Dylan Hart on horn (John Legend, John Williams, Barbara Streisand), and drummer, Larnell Lewis (Snarky Puppy, Yebba, Mark Ronson); with international heavyweights, such as guitarist, Kaki King (Timbaland, The Roots, Dave Grohl), Clyde Lawrence on keys (co-front person of the celebrated band, LAWRENCE), Leo P on sax (Beyoncé, Too Many Zoos, BBC Proms), and Görkem Şen on yaybahar (Turkish composer/performer featured in Hans Zimmer and Max Richter film scores); and Canadian treasures: Angela Schwarzkopf on harp (2020 JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year), Anh Phung on flute (Twisted Pine, Lydia Persaud, The Bombadils), and Saskia Tomkins (“All-Britain Champion Irish Fiddler”, and the Celtic consultant on ‘Come From Away’) on nyckelharpa – a 14th-century Swedish instrument. Each new piece is tailor-made to compliment the sound and aesthetic of the guest artist. The album follows up on the success of Countermeasure’s last two albums: Guest Sessions (2020) which featured world-renowned musicians such as Randy Brecker, Evelyn Glennie, and Natalie MacMaster; and Orchestral Sessions (2024), recorded with the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra.
Guest Sessions Vol II was made possible with support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council.
