New album, look for Nathan Haines

Nathan Haines explains the philosophy behind his new jazz album Heaven and Earth.

"There's a very Taoist theme running through the album, which is heaven and earth, which represents the universe in Taoism."

The album artwork was designed by New Zealand artist and longtime friend, Martin Poppelwell.

"I just wanted to have something which reflected where we coming from with the record, which is very analogue."

"I wanted to have a record that you could listen to and own and the art reflects where we are coming from."

The album sees him reunited with UK diva Vanessa Freeman and Mike Patto.

The album was recorded at Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios in Auckland, something Haines refers to as "an incredible facility".

Title track Heaven and Earth was originally written by Haines three years ago, unable to get funding, he was forced to put it on the backburner.

Haines decided to re-record the song to give it a more "Hendrix feel" for this album.

"Sometimes you write something and it doesn't match the project you're working with."

"For every song that made it onto Heaven and Earth there are twenty or fifty that didn't make it onto this album."

Haines plans to tour the album over the next month throughout the country.

- © Fairfax NZ News