Description
Celebrating a decade since its initial emergence, Ezra Collective’s “Chapter VII (10th Anniversary Edition)” marks a significant moment in the trajectory of this influential British jazz quintet. Originally released in 2016, this reissued record revisits the band’s breakthrough album, blending the distinctive textures of broken beat and nu jazz that have come to define their sound. The extended edition enriches the original material with newly added live performances, capturing the vitality and improvisational spirit that Ezra Collective are renowned for. These recordings not only highlight their creative synergy but also point to the band’s evolution within London’s vibrant jazz and experimental music scene.
Ezra Collective consists of drummer and bandleader Femi Koleoso, bassist TJ Koleoso, keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones, trumpeter Ife Ogunjobi, and tenor saxophonist James Mollison. Emerged from the Tomorrow’s Warriors jazz youth program, they have forged a signature approach that infuses Afrobeat rhythms, grime-era urban energy, soul, and jazz improvisation into a modern soundscape. Collaborations featured on this anniversary release include the grime artist Ty and vocalist Zara McFarlane, illustrating the band’s cross-genre fluidity and openness to blending different contemporary musical influences. Their connection to artists like Nubya Garcia and Moses Boyd situates them prominently within a new wave of UK jazz, marked by a fusion of creativity and cultural expression.
The “Chapter VII” album, which originally captured the ensemble’s dynamic outlook, stands at a crossroads of jazz tradition and innovative rhythm constructions. Tracks such as “Enter The Jungle” and “Chasing The Square” articulate a vibrant interplay of beats and melodic invention, while vocals on “Chapter 7” and “I Have A God” deepen the album’s contemplative and spiritual layers. The inclusion of live renditions from NPR’s Tiny Desk and a Royal Albert Hall performance further contextualize the group’s strength in translating their studio work into immersive live experiences, offering a glimpse into their artistic expression on stage and their engagement with audiences.
Issued through Partisan Records, an independent label known for supporting forward-thinking artists, this reissue benefits from the label’s dedication to creative diversity and quality in vinyl releases. The 10th-anniversary edition appeals especially to collectors and aficionados of jazz fusion and modern experimental music formats who seek to explore the intersections of urban sounds and African diasporic music traditions. Partisan’s catalog includes a broad spectrum of artists committed to sonic exploration, making their partnership with Ezra Collective a fitting continuation of their label’s ethos.
For listeners with an affinity for innovative jazz connected to global musical languages, this reissue recalls the spirit associated with ensembles like The Comet is Coming and Shabaka Hutchings’ projects, whose work similarly merges jazz with electronic and Afrocentric elements. It may also resonate with fans of contemporary Afrobeat and soul-tinged jazz artists such as Kokoroko, who share that same soulful, vibrant, and rhythmic sensibility that characterizes Ezra Collective’s unique approach to composition and performance.
As the group continues to shape the landscape of UK jazz with recent accolades and broader recognition, including prestigious awards and culturally impactful releases, the reissue of “Chapter VII” offers a reflective vantage on their journey. This edition not only serves as a historical document of their early imprint but also enriches the ongoing narrative of jazz’s evolving dialogue with electronic and urban music forms, inspiring a new generation of listeners and collectors dedicated to these multifaceted and richly textured musical expressions.
