Flock

Flock is an inventive five‑piece supergroup emerging from London’s vibrant experimental jazz and electronic scene. Comprised of five forward‑thinking musicians—each a leader in their own right—the band blends improvisation, composition and deep musical listening into a sound that defies easy categorisation. With a focus on collective exploration rather than individual virtuosity, Flock presents music that is communal, layered and full of unexpected textures.

The core lineup of Flock includes reed and woodwind player Tamar Osborn, pianist and electronics‑artist Al MacSween, synthesist Danalogue (aka Dan Leavers), drummer and tabla player Sarathy Korwar, and composer/percussionist/vibraphonist/electronicist Bex Burch. The ensemble’s heritages span jazz, afro‑beat, electronic music, improvisation and composition, combining to create a fresh and dynamic musical identity.

Their formation came in response to a desire to experiment beyond conventional band structures. In 2020, the musicians gathered virtually and then in person to record their debut album in a single day, surrendering to spontaneity and collective instinct. The result is a recording that captures the immediacy of improvisation and the depth of attentive listening, where each performer responds to the others in real time and the ensemble voice emerges organically.

The self‑titled debut album showcases pieces built around breathing, rhythm, repetition and subtle shifts in texture. At times expansive and cinematic, at others intimate and minimal, the music moves between composed frameworks and open space. The track “How Many Are One?” exemplifies this approach, as the group moves through states of tension, release and mutual attunement. The debut set the tone for their mission: to prioritise openness, interaction and musical empathy.

For their second album, Flock II, the band retreated to a converted church studio in the remote Welsh countryside, allowing the setting to shape the music. Over a week’s recording session they experimented with visual and spatial stimuli, mobile lighting, strobe effects and “jump‑off” devices to activate new compositional pathways. The resulting work explores sound sculpture, hypnotic groove, and the interplay of acoustic and electronic elements in unexpected ways.

Live, Flock are noted for their immersive, collaborative performances. The musicians trade roles, layer textures across the ensemble, and allow time to slow down, stretch out and unfold. The group encourages listeners to surrender to the flow, engage with nuance, and attend to detail. Their concerts feel less like typical gigs and more like communal meditations where sound, space and attention converge.

What sets Flock apart is their refusal to be pinned down by genre. They draw equally from jazz, modular electronics, afro‑rhythms, spiritual sounds and ambient textures—yet none of these influences dominates. Instead, the group weaves them into a cohesive whole, revealing new facets on each listen. The combination of expert musicianship, shared vision and adventurous approach has marked them as a leading voice in contemporary improvised and experimental music.

As they continue to evolve, Flock remain committed to exploring the relationships between sound, time, space and collective intuition. They celebrate collaboration over competition, listening over showcasing, and journeys over destinations. For listeners who seek music that invites engagement, reflection and surprise, Flock offers a rich, open‑ended experience—one that moves beyond conventional frameworks and invites deeper immersion.