First released in 2016, Continuum sees Shook exploring a more introspective side, trading funk for spacious ambient compositions and stripped-down piano work recorded on his Yamaha CP70B. Inspired by Vangelis, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Japanese Kankyo Ongaku, this is Shook at his most minimal and meditative. A personal journey inward, now reissued on vinyl for the first time.
Repress.
Bicycle Ride takes you into lo-fi paradise. Enjoy the subliminal vibe of mellow melodies arising out of that true vintage piano sound. Sit back and experience the rhythms and pedal through your inner emotions. Shook's music will take you into a true admiration for melody, rhythm, music in a carefree treadmill of life. Listening to the latest productions of Shook is like watching a Ghibli movie with compositions by Joe Hisaishi. While balancing in the twilight zone between awareness and epiphany you can feel the influences by many artistic and obscure composers and musicians, Shook creates a personal form of electronic music. Creating its own melodies on vintage synths, acoustic pianos and recording drum shots to build his rhythm patterns.Shook creates an easy-listening experience with a deep appreciation for melody, synths and piano's, touching the current lo-fi revival connected with producers such as Nujabes. Influenced by the wonderful creations like the 'Chrono Trigger' video game soundtrack developed by music composer Yasunori Mitsuda. Inspired by synthesizer pioneer Isao Tomita to 70's and synth pop gurus Yellow Magic Orchestra. Become part of a surrealistic episode of yourself enabling you to safely meet your deepest memories.
This is the second pressing of the highly sought after debut LP from dutch synth funk wizard Shook.
The special edition reissue is dedicated to Shook’s fans and special fan Nasa Astronaut Christina Koch who played the song ‘Always’ to her husband while she was in space during her ISS mission. In Koch’s words the song was “one of the most memorable anthems” of her mission.
To celebrate this achievement it was the right time to repress this masterpiece of exploratory electronic music with a special variant cover made by Marvel comics artist Stefan Tosheff based on the story of Koch.
Back in 2013 Harder Blogger Faster said: This debut album showcases Shook’s talents in a multitude of sonic intensities, emotions and styles without it ever being too show-y.
The album manages to find a perfect blend between nostalgic love letters and Shook’s need to combine cutting edge electronic instrumentation with his virtuoso abilities on the piano.
hook releases a new LP “RPG” composed with one hand and Influenced by Retro Video Game and Japanese Ambient Music.
“RPG” is composed entirely with one hand. Despite breaking his other arm and being unable to play his synthesizers, Wijnands did not give up and created the EP, showcasing his determination and passion for music.
Wijnands says: “I have been listening to Nintendo soundtracks nonstop while creating this LP, and it really cheered me up when I just broke my arm.”
Besides Retro Video Game Music, “RPG” draws heavily from Japanese environmental, ambient and new age music from the 1980s.
“RPG” showcases Wijnands’ skill as a composer and his ability to create evocative and immersive musical landscapes. The songs have a similar minimalistic aesthetic, where less is more, and the focus is on creating a serene and meditative atmosphere through the use of delicate piano melodies, subtle electronic textures, and synthesizer sound recordings to mimic the sounds of nature.
Despite the challenges Wijnands’ faced during the creation of “RPG,” the LP proves that he is still pushing the boundaries of electronic music.
System is a retro futuristic album that is inspired by that iconic sound of the 80s. It seamlessly merges deep machine-like tracks alternated with surprisingly humanised pop songs.
With an extended palette of pianos and synthesizers Shook’s work will take you along those vintage funk and synth-pop sounds, while keeping you connected with touchy vocals from both Jasper and his partner Juliet.
Spectrum marks Shook's bold evolution expanding his analog synth-funk roots into lush, cinematic territory. This 2014 release includes the breakout track Milestones, which reached global audiences through its feature in Better Call Saul. Rich in dreamy keys, retro-futuristic grooves, and emotional depth, Spectrum solidified Shook's voice as a one-man orchestra of vintage soul and electronic storytelling. A fan favorite, now ready for rediscovery on limited 180 gram vinyl.
With absolute devotion Shook has created an exceptional listening experience in which timeless influences of Hiroshi Yoshimura, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Steve Reich and Erik Satie are honored and thoughtfully integrated in his modern, energetic sound. Shook merges Japanese ambient and Indonesian gamelan with an uplifting mixture of electronic pop, jazz and funk. Inspired by city pop, techno pop and ambient Music for City and Nature spreads a new light on the contrasting balance between what we make and what we are. Shook: “In my 5th album I tried to document my emotional and mental state at this point in my career. It is inspired by the conflict between the energetic and busy city life and the calm, warmth and peace that nature gives. It isn’t a city ‘versus’ nature album though, it is about daily life existing in a gray area in between. I try to find a balance by connecting both sides. We can build a future in the city, but we must not forget that nature is our future.”
