Afro-Jazz Grooves: London collective Nubiyan Twist releases ‘Jungle Run’
Born out of the Leeds College Of Music, the now London-based Nubiyan Twist collective releases their second full-length album, and most adventurous record to date in Jungle Run.
For their first album released on the Strut label, the 10-piece ensemble fuses their blend of groove-oriented music, with soulful vocals, jazz inspired improvisation, layered horns, head-nodding hip-hop and electronic-based beats, dub influences, and funky African rhythms. The band’s wide range of global influences and musical diversity are highlighted throughout the record, varying at times from jazz and soul, to Afro and Latin funk.
Similar to the music on the album, the vocals on Jungle Run vary from track to track, with standout vocalist Nubiya Brandon leading the way on four of the songs, while percussionist Pilo Adami sings on the bossa jazz groover “Borders,” and saxophonist Nick Richards takes the lead on two songs including the first single “Tell It To Me Slowly.” Rising Ghanaian star K.O.G. is featured on Afro-funk jams “Basa Basa” and “They Talk.”
The record also features appearances by two legendary African icons in Afrobeat rhythm master Tony Allen on “Ghosts” and Ethio-jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke “Addis to London”.
Even though Nubiyan Twist has been making their mark on the UK music scene since 2015 with some solid releases, Jungle Run is the collective’s best and most widely diverse recording to date. Highly recommended!
Nubiyan Twist — ‘Jungle Run’
(Strut)
