Bassist and composer Kyle Eastwood, the eldest son of the Hollywood star Clint Eastwood, is set to release Metropolitain, his most eclectic album yet which features Till Brönner, Manu Katché and Camille

Kyle Eastwood's Metropolitain is his third album for the Candid label. Aiming to stay true to his roots as a live musician, with this record Kyle set out to capture the sound which his band has toured all over the world. Along with producer and long time collaborator Michael Stevens (with whom he has written film scores for blockbusters such as Changeling and Gran Torino), Kyle was eager to make a record which had an energy and spirit all of its own. To achieve this, Kyle and Michael sought the help an old friend in the form of Erin Davis (son of the legendary Miles) who came on board to co-produce the album.

Metropolitain was recorded live in the back streets of Paris at Studio Feber, a tiny, wood-panelled studio suggested to Kyle by guest pianist on the album Eric Legnini. Kyle splits his time between Paris and LA but Paris seemed more of a spiritual home for this project. Perhaps because it gave Kyle access to such an incredible batch of top quality musicians. As well as Eric Legnini, the album sees collaborations with cutting edge French pop vocalist Camille, German trumpet superstar Till Brönner and French drummer and current trailblazer Manu Katché.

Growing up in Carmel, California as the eldest son of the Hollywood star Clint Eastwood, Kyle remembers listening to records of jazz stars such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis playing in the house. As a result Kyle is well aware of the legacy that Jazz holds and is keen to keep true to the essence of the music while always moving forward and experimenting. Aspects of Kyle's previous records are carried through to Metropolitain in the form of the playful melodies so prominent on Now (Candid, 2006) which form the basis of tracks such as Hot Box and Alphabet. This is possibly due to the perpetually strong writing partnership between Eastwood, Stevens, fellow band member and keyboard player Andrew McCormack and close friend and brother of Jamie, Ben Cullum. In contrast to "Now" and "Paris Blue", for the title track Metropolitain, Kyle, Michael and Erin achieve something which is altogether new. Featuring Till Brönner, Eric Legnini, Manu Katche and Camille, the track's essence brings a new edge. Though the hook is catchy there is an atmosphere which can only be achieved with space. The lack of sequencing lends this track something which can only really be achieved live; a tension, an underlying energy which comes from the connection between the musicians.

Bold Changes gives the album yet another angle with its chilled out blues feel. Delivered courtesy of the endlessly talented Till Brönner the track is masterfully performed by Till on trumpet and the Kyle Eastwood Band's Graeme Blevins on tenor saxophone. Incorporating both electric and acoustic bass the track showcases the talent of the band along with Kyle's ability to hold together a track.

The final track on the album Live for Life is the only vocal led track. In contrast to previous albums Kyle steered clear of vocal tracks on Metropolitain, however, this track written by Nigerian-born singer Toyin spoke volumes to Kyle and he decided to record it. The track is the accumulation of the live recording experience. With nine musicians performing live and simultaneously in the studio the track holds a special place in the hearts of everyone involved.

With this album Kyle is aware that he is moving in a new direction. Despite the intensity that such a project afforded there is an air of excitement surrounding the album. It's certainly a change from producing Hollywood film scores!

Kyle will be performing at the Hay Festival on May 25th and launching Metropolitain at Ronnie Scott's on July 20th and 21st.