Acclaimed New Orleans ensemble Nolatet announces its third album, ‘Somethin’ To Relax With,’ arriving April 3 via RPF Records and Royal Potato Family. The quartet reunites bassist James Singleton and drummer Johnny Vidacovich with vibraphonist and percussionist Mike Dillon and pianist Brian Haas. Recorded live at LowDown in Tulsa across two sold-out shows in 2025, the album captures the band’s fearless chemistry in real time. The title track “Somethin’ To Relax With” is out now, offering the first taste of this kinetic new chapter.
“In the past, we’ve always worked out new material live, onstage, in front of the audience,” says Singleton. “Our specialty is collective improvisation, and as a band we gravitate more toward creative, improvised music than sticking to charts. So when it came time to record these songs, we made the decision to do it live in front of an audience.” Haas adds, “Every member of Nolatet is a composer… I think the kinetic energy of an audience makes for a more energetic and riskier album.”
Across six new compositions, including “Switchback,” “Doc Richter To You,” and “Black Pencil,” the band balances earthy jazz finesse with bold syncopation and harmonic imagination. JazzTimes has praised their mix of quirky melodies and punk-rock moxie, while DownBeat has highlighted their graceful execution. ‘Somethin’ To Relax With’ stands tall on that foundation, delivering a vibrant document of collective improvisation in motion.
Track Listing:
- Switchback
- Somethin’ To Relax With
- Doc Richter To You
- Black Pencil
- Cluster
- Surely Hazard
Upcoming Shows:
2/19 – New Orleans, LA – The Maple Leaf
4/8 – Chicago, IL – Garcia’s Chicago
4/10 – St. Louis, MO – Pop’s Blue Moon
4/11 – Kansas City, MO – Greenwood Social Hall
4/16 – Denver, CO – Dazzle (6:30pm & 9:30pm)
4/29 – New Orleans, LA – Cafe Istanbul