Femi
Koleoso (drums); TJ Koleoso (electric bass); James Mollison (sax); Joe
Armon-Jones (keyboards); Ife Ogunjobi (trumpet); Yazmin Lacey, Olivia Dean,
Manifest, Moonchild Sanely (vocals)
My knees have just about recovered from the punishment they received at Cheltenham Jazz Festival last year when this lot put even extra spring into the dance floor of the Town Hall. At the time they were touring their loudly militant album Where I’m Meant To Be. This is an altogether more mellow collections of grooves, still drawing on the same collection of influences from across the black diaspora and back to the roots of the music. They even made it onto the Strictly Come Dancing Results Show with God Gave Me Feet For Dancing and they have recently been announced as one of the BBC’s Sounds of 2025, a list of acts with “the best chance of mainstream success in the next 12 months”.
The Jazz Police will,
undoubtedly ask their usual question but this music swings in and out of so
many genres and there is plenty enough soloing and improvisation to satisfy
even the JP’s most senior inspector whose butt will be swinging and swaying as
they happily throw shapes to this one; Ajala,
for example is what jazz sounds like in 2024. And happy is a good word to throw in here. Whilst the last album
took your breath away this one gives it back and puts a smile on your
face.
Big tenor sax and trumpet
sounds dominate some tunes over a variety of beats from ska and reggae to African
high life and work in contrast to more sinuous moments creating a series of
rhythmic peaks and plains; the latter allowing the listener some moments to
recharge. It’s consistently top quality and consistently joyous. One of my albums of the year.
Dance, No One Is Listening is available from wherever you buy or hear your music. The Band’s website at https://www.ezracollective.com/ has double and single CD and vinyl (including a green vinyl) versions, t-shirts and dancing socks all available individually or as part of a bundle. (I’ll have one of the white t-shirts, if Santa is reading!). Dave Sayer
No comments :
Post a Comment