Behind the Scenes of 'Shakedown'

Back in 2001, the Toronto-based duo Four80East released 'Shakedown' -  a track that quickly became a staple of their distinctive blend of electronic grooves and jazz improvisation. Known for fusing tight rhythms with warm, melodic lines, Four80East carved out a unique spot in the Electro-Jazz world. Fast forward two decades: their recent 'Barn Sessions' live album revived 'Shakedown' in a fresh, organic setting, sparking new inspiration for artists and listeners alike.

One of those inspired was Fantomacs, a Germany/Switzerland-based artist equally fascinated by the crossroads of electronic innovation and jazz tradition. While Four80East thrives as a collaborative band, Fantomacs took on the challenge of reimagining 'Shakedown' as a one-man performance -handling every aspect of the music himself, from playing to mixing and mastering. The idea wasn’t just to cover the song, but to reinterpret it through modern tools while keeping its soulful essence intact.

To achieve this, Fantomacs leaned on cutting-edge instrument modeling technology. Imagine digital instruments so realistic they can capture the breath, phrasing, and emotion of a live musician. With the help of a new breath controller from Sweden’s TEControl, Fantomacs was able to “breathe” life into brass and string parts, making them feel alive rather than programmed. Alongside these expressive textures, modeled sounds of piano, Rhodes, bass, drums, and flute created the rhythmic and harmonic backbone.

The creative process unfolded like building a house: starting with a solid foundation of drums and bass, adding harmonic walls with piano and Rhodes, and decorating with layers of strings, vibraphone, and finally a vibrant brass section. Each instrument was carefully placed in a virtual concert hall, giving the track space and depth - as if a full band were playing live on stage.

In the end, what connects Four80East and Fantomacs is a shared love for groove, melody, and jazz fusion. What sets them apart in this project is the path: where Four80East bring the energy of a seasoned live duo and additional studio musicians, Fantomacs proves what’s possible when one artist harnesses technology to create the richness of an entire ensemble. 'Shakedown' becomes both a tribute and a bold experiment - a dialogue between tradition and innovation, Canada and Europe, band and soloist.

This fresh energy inspired Fantomacs to create a one-man interpretation of the piece - reimagined with cutting-edge technology and a deep commitment to expressive performance.

At the heart of this approach lies the integration of SWAM physical modeling instruments from Audio Modeling (Italy). These sophisticated virtual instruments, capable of replicating the nuances of real acoustic performance, were paired with the highly advanced TEControl breath controller (Sweden). This tool provided unparalleled expressive control, allowing Fantomacs to shape brass and string performances with natural phrasing, dynamics, and emotional depth.

Beyond the orchestral textures, other physical models played a crucial role: E-bass guitar, grand piano, drums, Rhodes E-Piano, and Jazz Flute were seamlessly integrated to maintain the authentic fusion-jazz character of the track.

The production unfolded entirely within Logic Pro X, beginning with the groove foundation of drums and bass. From there, harmonies and chord progressions were developed, followed by layers of piano, Rhodes, SWAM strings (violin, two violas, two cellos), and vibraphone. Finally, Fantomacs recorded and programmed Flugelhorn, Trumpet, Flute leads, and a full brass section (two trumpets, alto & tenor sax, trombone), all realized with individual SWAM instruments.

To enhance realism, each instrument was arranged and placed within a physical model of a classical hall, ensuring spatial accuracy, natural reflections, and a balanced stereo image. The final stage involved grouping, mixing, EQing, compression, and state-of-the-art mastering with tools from Native Instruments and Logic Pro X. Critical proof-listening sessions across studio monitors, loudspeakers, and physical speaker models ensured a polished and dynamic final sound.