A full four years after Chicago organ maestro Jimmy Lacy’s maiden voyage as SiP (Leos Naturals, 2020), he returns with a lush, layered, long-awaited sequel: Leos Ultras. Conceived and recorded in a corner of warehouse-turned-sound-lab Homan Gardens, the album radiates joy, depth, and color, projected through a technicolor slideshow of keys, clarinet, kalimba, sax, melodica, flute, tambourine, and drumbox. The songs feel warm and weathered, like beloved garments treasured through passing seasons.

Many seasons did pass while these songs took shape, spiked with seismic changes – Lacy’s first daughter was born, followed 17 months later by a second. Daily rhythms grew denser, but he never lost faith in the melodies simmering in his periphery: “I knew the music would be there when I had the time. It felt good to stay calm about it.”

Patience paid off; Leos Ultras is the summit SiP statement to date, rich with detail, discovery, beauty, lofted improvisation, and shades of spiritual jazz. It’s music both casual and cosmic, playful and poignant, channeled through long shadows and wordless hours in celebration of life, love, and Leo.