'You Can't Steal My Joy' by Ezra Collective

The highly-anticipated full-length project from the Ezra Collective, 'You Can't Steal My Joy', finally sees its official release on Enter the Jungle Records.

With two critically-acclaimed EP releases under their belts with 'Chapter 7' in 2016 and 'Juan Pablo: The Philosopher' in 2017, the London five-piece have finally come together to gift fans the album they've waited oh-so-patiently for!  But any time in between projects has certainly been productive - the Ezra members have continued to establish themselves as individual performers as well contributing to some of the UK's most exciting jazz projects over the last few years...

Comprising the collective is accomplished bassist TJ Koleoso, drummer Femi Koleoso who has graced projects by pianist Sarah Tandy ('Infection in the Sentence') and served as a member of Camilla George's Quartet ('Isang'); saxophonist James Mollison is having a particularly excellent year with the release of Cykada's debut project on Astigmatic Records as well; trumpeter Dylan Jones chalks up past session work with Blue Lab Beats and Moses Boyd Exodus, and group pianist Joe Armon-Jones celebrated the release of his revered debut solo album on Brownswood Recordings last year, 'Starting Today', as well as having chalked up an awesome list of past collaborations over the years with artists like Daniel Casimir and Jasmine Power.

It's a stunning array of projects and collaborations that have gone a long way in paving the road for everything involved in 'You Can't Steal My Joy'.  The band's eclectic and diverse blend of dynamic jazz draws from influences including hip-hop and afrobeat with distinctly transcendent results: just listen to their live BBC version of Shanks & Bigfoot's 'Sweet Like Chocolate' for further proof.
While 'Chapter 7' and 'Juan Pablo: The Philosopher' boasted pairings with rapper Ty, Zara McFarlane, Nubya Garcia and Theon Cross, 'You Can't Steal My Joy' introduces R&B vocalist Jorja Smith on the excellent 'Reason in Disguise', rapper Loyle Carner (who released his own excellent 'Not Waving, But Drowning' album earlier this year) appears on 'What Am I To Do?', and the incredible afrobeat ensemble, KOKOROKO, guest on 'Shakara'.  And to whet your appetite even further, First Word Records recording artist Eric Lau is recruited to tackle the album's mixing duties throughout.

Anything bearing the name "Ezra Collective" will continue to be warmly embraced by fans the world over but they will also eagerly anticipate the successes of the band's individual members as well as they continue to solidify their own name(s) and wave the flag for London's all-too-exciting jazz scene.  'You Can't Steal My Joy' is a shining example of their efforts and a stunning contribution to this year's album releases.

'The Vibezlab Sessions II' by PVIBEZ

Paul "PVIBEZ" Morgan returns with the second instalment of his Vibezlab Sessions series of EPs with the highly-anticipated Volume II.

A perfect extension of the groundwork laid out through Volume I, released in 2018, this selection of tracks sees the producer and multi-instrumentalist step back into his proverbial Batcave or Fortress of Solitude to reconnect with the project's original four vocalists: Eshe Escoffery, Lifford, Laurnea and Andrae Bentley.

While previous full-length offerings - 'Love Is The Notion' (2016) and 'Urban Xpressionz' (2011) - have seen Morgan demonstrate his pure vibes aesthetic as a singer and songwriter, excelling in the role with songs like 'No Fantasy' and 'Pretty Buddafly', the Vibezlab series sees the artist take more inspiration behind the boards providing the sonic soundscapes for his team to soar over.

Andrea Bentley appears on the opening, funky bass of 'All About Me'; veteran soul singer Lifford Shillingford sounds perfect on the gospel-inspired nature of 'The Recipe' as does Vicky Flint on horns, fresh off her contribution to Lasperanza's 'Seeds' album from earlier this year too.  US vocalist Laurnea marks another welcome return to the Sessions this time 'Just in Case', potentially outdoing her excellent contribution to last year's effort ('Don't Break My Heart'), and then there's Eshe Escoffery who absolutely does outdo her contribution to their previous collaboration, this time stealing the show with 'Stay' which is beautifully enhanced by violin from Rebecca Decca Doo and a song fleshed out and allowed to breathe over the course of nearly six minutes. 

There's a real charm about Morgan that endears him to music lovers - his consistent desire to improve, to try new things and go in new directions is all inspired by his unwavering devotion towards his heroes.  Always one to wear his influences on his sleeve and the encyclopaedic knowledge that comes along with that, whether he's musing on the musical union between Marvin Gaye and Leon Ware that spawned Gaye's 'I Want You' album, his preference for 1970's era Prince releases or his reverence to the works of Stevie Wonder... The prospect of the Vibezlab Sessions seems very much to be an homage to those inspirations in the most personal way possible.

We look forward to seeing where PVIBEZ's passions will take him next but in the meantime, he's created potentially his greatest piece of work for you all to enjoy.

'The Vibezlab Sessions' is available to purchase now from CD Baby.

'When You Are Here' by Culture Revolution Project

The Culture Revolution Project marks the union of long-time friends US trumpeter Keyon Harrold and Polish saxophonist Sylwester Ostrowski who - after having met over ten years ago through performances in Szczecin - come together to release their joint project 'When You Are Here', recorded in 2018.

Trumpeter Keyon Harrold, who boasts 'The Mugician' (2017) and 'Introducing Keyon Harrold' (2009) amongst his solo releases has also established his name by chalking up numerous studio collaborations with artists including Gregory Porter, Maxwell, Chris Dave and Terrace Martin.  Such was Harrold's skill with the trumpet that he was famously called upon to sub horn duties for the legendary Miles Davis in Don Cheadle's Davis biopic, 'Miles Ahead'.

And joining Harrold as part of this Project is revered saxophonist Sylwester Ostrowski.  Ostrowski has not only leant his sax and production work to projects by Marek Niedźwiecki and Piotr Wojtasik but is also a recording artist in his own right whether he's releasing albums under his own name ('Don't Explain', 2013) or being backed by The Jazz Brigade ('In Our Own Way', 2018).

Stan Getz once likened the idea of musicians playing together to a good conversation between friends and the sharing of their ideas with each other.  It's a mind-set that makes this international pairing for the Culture Revolution Project all the more fascinating as Harrold and Ostrowski lead this engaging eleven-track conversation which includes additional players - both US and Polish - Nir Felder on guitar, Shedrick Mitchell on piano, Burniss Earl Travis on bass, Terreon Gully on drums and Jasson Harrold on additional drum production. 

The intriguing combination of rapper Pharoahe Monch and vocalist Paulina Pryzbysz on 'Lyric' is an album highlight as is the reworking of Harrold's 'Wayfaring Traveler' (from his Mugician album) with Aga Czyz sitting in for Georgia Anne Muldrow and Jermaine Holmes.  Conversely, the latter (Holmes) excels on 'All Connected' but the real gem of the album may very well be the elegant 'Love in Tragedy' which is such a beautiful song and utilises Czyz's understated vocal so perfectly.

We're very much hoping that this marks the first of a series of albums for Keyon Harrold and Sylwester Ostrowski under the banner of the Culture Revolution Project as their conversation is an absolute joy!