Zurich-based duo Samson Philipps present their impressive debut album Once Upon a Now, positioning themselves within a new wave of young jazz artists who see dancefloor culture and tradition as a mutually inspiring symbiosis. An album that stands out through its balance of imaginative playing, rhythmic complexity, and melodic precision.

 

Samson Philipps are Philipp Bucholtz (keys, synths) and Samuel Schmassmann (drums) – allies and friends with a shared vision. In their reduced setup of keys and drums, both contribute to a sound that reaches far beyond the sum of its parts. The duo blends contemporary jazz with influences from drum’n’bass, jungle, trip-hop, and ambient electronics, creating a spacious, cinematic soundscape: analog warmth, deep sub-bass, jazzy Rhodes lines, and rhythmically intricate, electronically embellished drum patterns are key features of this striking debut album. The elements interlock and merge into a delicate, playful yet driving musical unity.

 

Once Upon a Now was recorded in summer 2025 through an unconventional remote-production setup. Instead of retreating into a traditional studio environment, the duo deliberately chose creative autonomy, recording in their own rehearsal space in Zurich in sessions often lasting up to 16 hours, deep into the night. The result is an album that feels both raw and precise, immersive and detailed, driving and expansive.

 

Across ten tracks, Samson Philipps explore shifting time signatures, breakbeat structures, and atmospheric interludes. From groove-driven pieces to introspective ballads, the album unfolds like a continuous live set, taking the listener on a journey to the edge of the universe and back – reflecting the duo’s performance philosophy, where tracks seamlessly flow into one another to create a continuous musical experience.

 

Following their acclaimed debut EP Square, which was awarded the audience prize at the ZKB Jazz Festival, Samson Philipps firmly establish themselves with Once Upon a Now – released on Berlin’s XJAZZ! Music – as one of the most promising new voices in the emerging generation of contemporary jazz.

​

Album release - May 2026 on XJAZZ! Music