Ezra Collective - 'Ajala'
A sneak peak of their album set to come later this year, the new single from Ezra Collective shows everyone just why this quintet are all people can talk about.
The last year has been huge for critically acclaimed band Ezra Collective and their latest offering seeks to continue the trajectory of brilliance they’ve been on since day 1. Their first reveal since winning the Mercury Music Prize, this track is their return to getting stuff done. Entitled Ajala, the track is an explosion of sound and kicks off the anticipation and hype for their new album which has been hinted at coming before the year is out. A celebration of Afrobeats and Highlife fused together with standard jazz, the track is an amalgamation of so many brilliant styles, techniques and stories.
The title of the song, ‘Ajala’, pays homage to Olabisi Ajala, a journalist from Nigeria who’s spirit is central to the track. Drummer and band leader Femi explained his story and the way it informed their songwriting:
“(Ajala) decided that he wanted to travel the whole world on a moped and what ended up happening was his name became slang in Yoruba. ‘Ajala travel’ is slang for someone that can't sit still. It's the way a lot of people would describe me, but for me it's also what a great drum beat does, it's what great music does to me, it means I can't sit still and I just want to move. Ajala is all about that movement.”
And make you want to move this track does in spades. Every note resonates with the joy and wonder of musical discovery, a true testament to the talent and unstoppable drive synonymous with Ezra Collective. There is truly no weak link in the group. Made up of Femi Koleoso on drums, TJ Koleoso on bass, Joe-Armon Jones on keys, James Mollison on saxophone and Ife Ogunjobi on trumpet, everything about their musicality and songwriting is rooted in their shared love of music. Collaboration is central to what they do, demonstrated both on this track and also on their last album which saw features from giants like Kojey Radical, Emeli Sande and Sampa the Great. The opening of the track which features raw recordings with a live audience reflects the warmth and joy that breathes life through their artistry and can’t help but get you on your feet.
The release marks the beginning of what is set to be a huge year for the band who are set to go on tour for the rest of the year. Continuing to make history, they will be the first UK jazz act to headline London’s OVO Wembley arena in November but for those who can’t wait till then they are performing at the launch of the British Library’s upcoming exhibition, ‘’Beyond The Baseline: 500 Years of Black British Music’. Tickets sold out in a record breaking 5 minutes and those lucky enough to be attending the exhibition are in for a wonderful celebration of everything that makes Black British music what it is today. Their headline tour across the UK in the Autumn goes on sale this week and if previous performances are anything to go by this is not one to be missed.
Words by Kirsty Thomson
