Ezra Collective - Dance, No One's Watching (Album Review)
Friday, 04 October 2024
Written by Chris Connor
Photo: YOUT
The rise of Ezra Collective has been nothing short of astonishing. Already a cornerstone of the blossoming London jazz scene during the past few years, the ensemble's rise was capped with the 2023 Mercury Prize for their album ‘Where I’m Meant To Be’. Naturally, there is a feverish sense of anticipation for its follow up, the aptly-titled ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’. But it delivers, and then some.
The tracks that have preceded the album, Ajala and God Gave Me Feet For Dancing, showcase their depth and ability to work instrumentally and with guest vocalists. The second of these tracks finds the band working with Yazmin Lacey, which is a match made in heaven.
There is an irresistible groove to it, incorporating elements of funk with their trademark sound, it is a track fitting of its title as it is hard not to want to dance.
Ajala, meanwhile, carries the exuberant, frenetic energy their previous album contained — in this sort of mood Ezra Collective are an unstoppable force.
This album encapsulates all that the group has built to date, with new flourishes and guest stars never detracting from the main event. Opener The Herald is euphoric, built around dynamic horns, and it really kicks things off with gusto.
Palm Wine mixes it up with piano solos and guitar grooves, while N29 carries on in this vein with a loungey, laid back vibe. No One’s Watching Me features another rising superstar in the shape o Olivia Dean, and her gorgeous vocals are a winning combo with the band’s more expansive sound. Hopefully this isn’t the last collaboration between the two.
As a whole, ‘Dance No One’s Watching’ is further proof that jazz in the UK is alive and well and Ezra Collective continue to be pioneers within its vibrant and constantly expanding landscape. This is joyous, celebratory music of the highest order.
Ezra Collective Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue November 05 2024 - NOTTINGHAM Level
Wed November 06 2024 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
Thu November 07 2024 - LEEDS Project House
Fri November 08 2024 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Sun November 10 2024 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Mon November 11 2024 - DUBLIN 3Olympia Theatre
Wed November 13 2024 - BRISTOL Beacon
Thu November 14 2024 - BRISTOL Beacon
Fri November 15 2024 - LONDON OVO Arena Wembley
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