Yussef Dayes – Black Classical Music (Indie Excl White Vinyl 2LP)

Multi-instrumentalist Yussef Dayes delivers his highly anticipated debut solo studio album, Black Classical Music which comes introduced by the title track “Black Classical Music,” featuring Venna and Charlie Stacey. Dayes’ drum licks and Rocco Palladino’s bass are the anchors to Dayes’ nineteen-track debut, aided by Charlie Stacey (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone), Alexander Bourt (percussion), and a host of features including: Chronixx, Masego, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Elijah Fox, Shabaka Hutchings, Miles James, Sheila Maurice Grey, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross, and the Chineke! Orchestra – the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians.

“What is jazz,” Dayes asks. “Where did the word derive from? Birthed in New Orleans, born in the belly of the Mississippi River, rooted in the gumbo pot of the Caribbean, South American culture, and African rituals. Continuing a lineage of Miles Davis, Rahssan Roland Kirk, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong – music that is forever evolving and limitless in its potential. The groove, its feeling, the compositions, the spontaneity, with a love for family, the discipline and dedication in maintaining the very high bar set by the pantheon of Black Classical Musicians. Chasing the rhythm of drums that imitated one’s heartbeat, the melodies for the mind and spirit, the bass for the core. A Regal sound for this body of music.”

LP1

1. Black Classical Music (feat. Venna & Charlie Stacey)
2. Afro Cubanism
3. Raisins Under the Sun (feat. Shabaka Hutchings)
4. Rust (feat. Tom Misch)
5. Turquoise Galaxy
6. The Light (feat. Bahia Dayes)
7. Pon di Plaza (feat. Chronixx)
8. Magnolia Symphony
9. Early Dayes
10. Chasing the Drum

LP2

1. Birds of Paradise
2. Gelato
3. Marching Band (feat. Masego)
4. Crystal Palace Park (feat. Elijah Fox)
5. Presidential (feat. Jahaan Sweet)
6. Jukebox
7. Woman’s Touch (feat. Jamilah Barry)
8. Tioga Pass (feat. Rocco Palladino)
9. Cowrie Charms (feat. Leon Thomas and Barbara Hicks)