There is More to the Story By Craigology

 

There is More to the Story

By

Craigology

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It is fantastic to hear the king of musical vibrancy back on the scene and this time with a brand new EP called There is More to the Story. It contains three previously released pieces and one I had not heard of before, so let’s take a deep dive into this compilation and pay homage to the master of soulful smooth funk and chill Craigology.

Working Things Out Craigology (World Beat Groove) starts our journey of taste and textures, this was released early on this year and is a complex yet lively composition with some of the artists trademark keyboard skills melded into a mixture of added instrumentation, and a floating segment at the 2:20 minute mark that reminded me greatly of old style Level 42 from the 1980’s

We now move to the piece Attractive (World Beat Groove), again a release in 2026 and a particular favourite of mine. The prolonged and explorative keyboard work here is something to marvel at from the opening moments, there is an easy confidence to the track. The groove settles naturally into place, creating a relaxed but unmistakable rhythmic pulse. Craigology understands that a world beat track doesn't need to overwhelm the listener with complexity; sometimes the greatest strength is allowing the rhythm to breathe.

Then deeper into the realm of There is More to the Story (World Beat Groove), here is a classy and sexy offering with a perfect sultry rhythm. There is something wonderfully understated about the way Craigology approaches the music here. Rather than throwing everything at the listener from the outset, the track allows its rhythmic character to unfold naturally. The world beat influence gives the piece a gentle sense of travel, while the smooth-jazz foundation keeps the whole journey relaxed and inviting. It is music with movement, but not movement in a hurry, one must also take their time when listening to the coda, and it’s unexpected but dramatically inspiring completion.

Zoology (World Beat Groove) concludes our journey with Craigology, a fine and smart way to finish the release with colours, textures and a vibrant musical image in a tapestry of tone and splendour. The world beat foundation gives the track its pulse, while the experimental jazz-house influence introduces another dimension altogether. The result is a fascinating meeting of organic rhythmic energy and contemporary electronic sensibility and that title suddenly begins to make sense.

Class, class and more class, what an amazing release from the king of smooth jazz and now world beats in, Craigology. This is an EP that rewards simply settling into the groove and allowing the music to unfold at its own pace. It doesn't need to shout. Its appeal comes from atmosphere, rhythm, texture and the sense that something interesting is happening beneath the surface. Craigology has taken the smooth and given it room to travel. World beat supplies the journey, jazz supplies the soul, and the groove supplies the compass. This one if destined for the upper echelons of the charts with utter ease.