While little is known about the record itself as yet – track listing and first single to be released tomorrow – Bowie has treated us to the album cover as well as a few typically stylish new promo photographs.
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Recorded in NY where The Thin White Duke lives with his wife Iman, Blackstar will be the 25th album from the “Heroes” and a “Life On Mars” icon – and has been confirmed for release on 8 January 2016 to mark his 69th birthday.
According to Mojo’s report, Bowie’s Blackstar band, which includes saxophonist Donny McCaslin and guitarist Ben Monder, started coalescing during the sessions for his 2014 single “Sue (Or in a Season of Crime)”, and offered Bowie an opportunity to test the boundaries between pop and jazz from a different direction.
“David on goal used Donny so that [self referencing wouldn’t happen]”, says Visconti of the new team. Having jazz guys play rock music turns it upside down.
David Bowie may have retired from touring, but he isn’t resting on his laurels.
“Their approach to the music was so refreshing, I looked forward to every day in the studio”.
Recording in NY between January and May this year, Bowie sought out jazz artists to stop him falling back on rock cliches.
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Fans have already been able to hear a truncated version of the song, which appears as the theme music for the TV show The Last Panthers. The single and film will premiere worldwide today on Sky Atlantic at 8.45pm before episode 2 of The Last Panthers.
