Blue Earth Sound — Cicero Nights
Listen to Cicero Nights everywhere now. Buy the album on vinyl.
Adding to the rich lineage of Chicago’s experimental jazz and instrumental music, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, and composer James Weir steps into the spotlight with the debut of his new project, Blue Earth Sound. 'Cicero Nights' is out now via Root Records, featuring eight immersive tracks that evoke everything from neon-lit city nights to serene sunlit strolls – all through the lens of cinematic, organic instrumentals.
The record was shaped at the International Anthem warehouse with in-house engineer Dave Vettraino, following a period of soul-searching for Weir. Previously known for his work as bassist in post-punk outfit NE-HI and synth-rock band Spun Out, Weir sought a new creative outlet that could reflect his evolving tastes and life experiences. Drawing inspiration from 70s Chicago jazz and soul, Talk Talk, Japanese jazz, and Italian soundtrack composers such as Stefano Torossi, he began laying the groundwork for what would become Cicero Nights.
Weir’s journey started in his Humboldt Park basement, where buying a piano led to unexpected chemistry with his neighbor and drummer Patch Romanowski. Those intimate sessions birthed the early sketches of the album, including lead single 'Mariposa', a bright, pastoral piece carried by shimmering piano chords and a shuffling groove. From there, the project expanded with contributions from Will Miller (Resavoir), Eamonn Prizy, and longtime collaborator Michael Wells, solidifying Blue Earth Sound as a collective effort rooted in collaboration and improvisation.
“My earlier bands were inspired by what I fell in love with between 16-21… I wanted to make music inspired by life experiences and the music I fell in love with in my late 20s/early 30s – 70s Chicago jazz and soul, Talk Talk, Japanese jazz, and Italian soundtrack composers.” – James Weir
Across its tracklist, Cicero Nights moves like a story arc, its flow both intentional and transportive. Highlights include 'Half & Half', whose horn arrangements nod to Curtis Mayfield and Donald Byrd, blending with Weir’s buoyant basslines to capture a summer groove. Meanwhile, 'On the Court'—inspired by the Hoop Dreams soundtrack—adds a boom-bap rhythm, smoky wah guitars, and clouded Wurlitzer chords, delivering an atmosphere fit for Chicago’s storied bar scene. As Weir puts it:
“I just wanted to make tunes that a DJ could play at a Chicago bar like Danny’s at 8:30 pm that would set a good vibe.”
The name Blue Earth Sound reflects Weir’s roots in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, while also embodying the duality of nostalgia and experimentation that defines his Chicago years. The result is an album that feels grounded, soulful, and deeply cinematic—a collection that both honours jazz traditions and reimagines them for modern audiences.
Blue Earth Sound shares final single ‘On the Court’ ahead of debut album ‘Cicero Nights’
Listen to ‘On the Court’ on all platforms. Pre-order the LP
Chicago-based bassist and composer James Weir, aka Blue Earth Sound, unveils On The Court — the final single before the arrival of his debut LP Cicero Nights, out September 12th on Root Records.
Drawing inspiration from the Hoop Dreams soundtrack, On The Court pairs a boom-bap beat with radiant horns, smoky wah-pedal guitars, and a haze of Wurlitzer keys. The result is a soulful, horn-driven groove that captures both the grit of the basketball court and the warmth of 70s jazz-funk. It’s a track that feels instantly familiar, yet full of character — bridging jazz tradition with a modern, sample-ready sensibility.
With Cicero Nights, Blue Earth Sound offers a late-night jazz journey steeped in Chicago soul, brass-heavy arrangements, and deep grooves. Following singles Lover’s Rock and Half & Half, On The Court provides a final glimpse into an album built for golden-hour listening — cinematic in scope, but rooted in groove.
Cicero Nights drops September 12th via Root Records.
Blue Earth Sound - Mariposa
‘Mariposa’ is out now. Pre-order ‘Cicero Nights’
Adding to the already rich tapestry of jazz-leaning experimental music out of Chicago, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader and composer James Weir is set to share his first project as Blue Earth Sound — announcing it with the albums first offering, 'Mariposa'
Out on Friday 19th September via Root Records, ‘Cicero Nights’ consists of eight immersive and transportive instrumentals that manage to evoke both the neon-lit haze of late city nights, and the meditative atmosphere of sunlit daytime strolls, all through the lens of organic, cinematic instrumentals.
Created at the International Anthem warehouse under the guidance of in-house engineer Dave Vettraino, ‘Cicero Nights’ came out of a period of soul-searching for James, journeying to find a musical outlet to reflect where he was in life, whilst also bolstering his songwriting skills. His musical life up to this point had been spent playing in rock groups – firstly as bassist for influential post-punk outfit NE-HI, before later joining synth-rock group Spun Out. He shares: “My earlier bands were inspired by what I fell in love with between 16-21. Subconsciously, a lot of the writing was about energy, angst, and partying. I wanted to make music inspired by life experiences and the music I fell in love with in my late 20s/early 30s - 70s Chicago jazz and soul, Talk Talk, Japanese jazz and Italian soundtrack composers like Stefano Torossi.
To achieve his goals and create music that felt like an authentic representation of his eclectic taste and love of collaboration, he took the first step and bought a piano. What started as an intellectual exercise–to take piano more seriously and to learn the mechanisms behind composing—turned into an intuitiveness that guided his songwriting: “After I bought a piano and put it in my basement in Humboldt Park, it turned out my neighbour Patch Romanowski was a drummer” says Weir. “We developed this chemistry and would play in the basement together. That gave me a big step forward with my relationship to writing on the piano.” One of the earliest ideas eventually became the opener and lead single ‘Mariposa’, with its bright piano chords, pastoral arrangement, and shuffling groove.