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Ezra Collective: You Can't Steal My Joy
Ezra Collective
band / ensemble / orchestraRight out of the gate, Dylan Jones' trumpet delivers a hook so sharp you'll be humming it despite yourself. "Space Is The Place (Reprise)" runs for just over two-and-a-half minutes. It is an all-business introduction that pairs him with a gorgeous hip-hop beat, served up by
Femi Koleoso
drumsFrom there we go to "Why You Mad?"
Joe Armon-Jones
pianoThe five-piece's debut EP, Juan Pablo: The Philosopher (Enter the Jungle Records, 2017), was similarly difficult to classify. It is remarkably brave for an act as new as Ezra Collective to present its audience with so many contrasting styles. It is clear these guys have got the chops to share a stage with the world's best hip-hop jazz players.
You get the sense that they can't help themselves. The south London outfit has earned a reputation for wandering out into the crowd in local hotspots like Fabric. It's not difficult to cast them as a group of youngsters so excited by the music that they want to get out there and join the audience.
The twists and turns continue. Track three is a silky-smooth reggae instrumental hilariously entitled "Red Whine." Take that UB40! There is plenty of space here for saxophonist
James Mollison
saxophoneThe album's first single is "Quest for Coin," a track Koeoso says "is about the pursuit of money, but not losing your soulfulness in the process ... You know when you can't afford the train, so you get the bus and meet a beautiful stranger who talks to you about your saxophone case ... Basically city life, London life."
Leaving aside the fact that Koeoso is clearly cooler than you and me, the track is a solid, if somewhat surprising choice for the first single, not because it is lacking in appeal, but because the aforementioned vocal performances by Smith and Carner have the potential for huge appeal.
Smith's "Reason in Disguise" is a picture-perfect R&B track, underpinned by a flawless performance from the band.
Carner's "What Am I To Do?" is London rap at its best. "Lump in my neck; ain't got time for a checkup; I'm fed up; but what am I to do?" The contrast between Carner's gritty take on city life and Ezra Collective's high-polish hip hop vibe is just one more reason this group of young artists is worth our attention. ">
Track Listing
Space is the Place (Reprise); Why You Mad?; Red Whine; Quest for Coin; Reason in Disguise ft. Jorja Smith; What Am I to Do? ft. Loyle Carner; Chris and Jane; People Saved; Philosopher II; S?o Paulo; King of the Jungle; You Can’t Steal My Joy; Shakara ft. Kokoroko.
Personnel
Ezra Collective
band / ensemble / orchestraJoe Armon-Jones: keys; Femi Koleoso: drums; TJ Koleoso: bass; Dylan Jones: trumpet; James Mollison: saxophone.
Album information
Title: You Can't Steal My Joy | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Enter The Jungle
Tags
Ezra Collective
Album Reviews
Kevin Press
You Can't Steal My Joy
Enter The Jungle
Femi Koleoso
Joe Armon-Jones
James Mollison
Comments
About Ezra Collective
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
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