The London-based collective Natural Lateral, led by Aziz Mustafa (aka Tom Funk), follows up their breakthrough 2019 debut Cogito Ergo Jam with a brilliant and highly-anticipated new recording on the Social Joy label, titled Tapestry Of Life.

This incredible six track recording continues to push the boundaries as the group incorporates a wide array of influences and sounds that celebrate the jazz legends that paved the way like Azymuth, Roy Ayers, Alice Coltrane, Miles Davis, and others. Each track takes on a life of it’s own including elements of jazz-funk, cosmic spiritual grooves, warm Bossa rhythms, spacey electronics, and Latin jazz.

On top of co-producing the album with Prajñāghoṣa Monin, Mustafa also plays a mixture synths, Rhodes, piano, and bass. The session also includes some of the most forward-thinking musicians of today, including saxophonist and flautist Tamar Osborn (Collocutor), drummer David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats), flautist Chip Wickham, and drummer/percussionist Ozan Nidayi and others. The band’s work ethic is based on a sense of freedom in the studio filled with live jam sessions where it’s all about “catching a moment” and letting the inspiration flow.

Overall, Aziz Mustafa and this very talented UK-based group have put together another impressive and widely diverse recording. Highly recommended!

Natural Lateral — ‘Tapestry of Life’
(Social Joy)

1. Rendez-rio
2. Tom’s Tumbao ft. Chip Wickham
3. Hoodi’s Notes
4. Locked up
5. Konuş…Konuşma (Speak… Don’t Speak)
6. Amber’s Garden ft. Tamar Osborn

BUY RECORD

• Cosmic
• Jazz
• Jazz Dance
• Jazz Funk
• Spiritual Jazz