Grammy-winning Mexican acoustic duo Rodrigo y Gabriela are back with their first vinyl release of the new decade. Having successfully launched their ‘Music From The Field’ programme last year, the instrumental rockers are now ready to share the fruits of their online music sessions with a wider audience.

The first taste of the ‘JAZZ EP’ is a delicious cover of ‘Street Fighter Mas’ by tenor sax giant Kamasi Washington, released today – 18th February – which coincidentally is Kamasi’s 40th birthday.

Rod says: “It was a no-brainer for us. Kamasi is one of the most exciting jazz musicians out there and ‘Street Fighter Mas’ has such a good groove.”

Gab adds: “It was a challenge for us, recreating the instruments with just two guitars, so it became a kind of game. We had to change a few bits and pieces, especially in how I interpreted the drum parts on my guitar.”

The JAZZ EP also features covers of ‘Lingus’ by Snarky Puppy and ‘Oblivion’ by Astor Piazzolla, with a guest appearance by flamenco-guitar legend Vicente Amigo. The release will be limited to just 3,000 copies worldwide, pressed on cloudy orange vinyl and individually numbered. It will be released worldwide on 7th May 2021, and can be pre- ordered now.

Back to ‘Street Fighter Mas’ and the final word to Rod and Gab:

“When you play someone else’s music, you need to get outside your own headspace, and learn from scratch, it’s a real challenge. We layered tracks to get the groove and feel of the song, and then we did some singing – sorry! We had great fun, we hope you like it too.”