Edition Records is thrilled to announce the Vinyl release of two iconic albums by the pioneering British jazz group, Polar Bear, led by drummer and composer Seb Rochford. In 2025, Edition Records will mark the 20th anniversary of Held on the Tips of Fingers (2005), the album that redefined the UK jazz landscape and firmly established Polar Bear as one of the most innovative forces in contemporary music. Alongside this, their influential debut Dim Lit (2004) will also be released on vinyl, celebrating the lasting impact of both albums. Together, these releases showcase Polar Bear’s boundary-pushing approach and their enduring influence on modern jazz. Both albums, originally released on Babel Label and reissued by Leaf in 2014, will now be available digitally worldwide through Edition Records.

Led by the visionary drummer and composer Seb Rochford, Polar Bear reshaped the boundaries of jazz, blending adventurous improvisation with electronic textures and raw energy. Held on the Tips of Fingers was shortlisted for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2005 and was widely acclaimed across the UK and European media. The Observer Music Monthly awarded it 5 stars, with Paul Morley stating: “This is not nu jazz, acid jazz, Jamie jazz, Parky jazz, Brit jazz, beardo jazz, post-jazz or twee jazz. It’s dream jazz.”

Reflecting on the significance of these albums, Edition Records founder Dave Stapleton remarks, “Polar Bear was a band that truly defined an era. Their artistry and sound were groundbreaking, shaping the direction of contemporary music in ways that still resonate today. The first two records were deeply influential and inspiring to an entire generation of musicians, including myself. Personally, it’s an honour to be entrusted with such a vibrant and essential catalogue, and to work alongside Seb, whose vision has left an indelible mark on British jazz and beyond.”

Since earning a Mercury Prize nomination Held on the Tips of Fingers has since been recognised as a crossover masterpiece, solidifying Polar Bear’s reputation as one of the most innovative forces in contemporary music. The album secured its place in Jazzwise’s 100 Jazz Albums That Shook the World and The Guardian’s 1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die, highlighting its enduring influence on the UK jazz scene and beyond.

Seb Rochford has since become a vital figure in the British jazz and alternative music scenes, collaborating with luminaries such as Patti Smith, Brian Eno, Sons of Kemet and Grace Jones. Polar Bear and Rochford’s influence extends far beyond the jazz world, with their radical approach to composition and improvisation igniting new possibilities in contemporary music.

Polar Bear photo by RJ Fernandez and of Seb Rochford by Dave Stapleton