Lophae is a London-based jazz quartet led by guitarist and composer Greg Sanders, known for his work with Juanita Euka and the ensemble Teotima. The group features drummer Ben Brown, who has performed with Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke; bassist Tom Herbert, a key figure in the UK jazz scene through bands like The Invisible and Polar Bear; and saxophonist Sam Rapley, recognised for his lyrical tenor playing. Together, they create a sound that blends intricate compositions with dynamic improvisation. ​

“Negative Blues,” from their debut album Perfect Strangers (January 2025), reworks the 12-bar blues form through the lens of negative harmony, inverting the usual chord structure to explore its opposite. The groove is tight but flexible, driven by Fela Kuti-style rhythm guitar and a shifting three-beat cycle inspired by Harvey Mason. It’s a piece that plays with structure without losing feel, allowing space for contrast and dialogue, particularly between Sanders’ measured guitar phrasing and Rapley’s flowing saxophone lines.

Recorded live to 16-track analogue tape at London’s Fish Factory studio, the track captures the band’s close interplay and attention to tone. It’s not about flash, but about finding depth through form and feel.

Listen to and get a copy of Perfect Strangers HERE