Visionary London drummer Yussef Dayes releases debut full-length ‘Black Classical Music’

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Visionary London drummer Yussef Dayes releases debut full-length ‘Black Classical Music’

Ever since his collaborative breakthrough Black Focus album with Kamaal Williams back in 2016, Yussef Dayes has quickly become one the leading musicians among London’s surging jazz scene. Since that time, the drummer, composer and bandleader has released a number of outstanding EPs, singles, live sessions, and additional collaborative efforts. Now he has just released his highly-anticipated full-length debut, titled Black Classical Music on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label.

This expansive 19-track(!!!) 2xLP recording strongly builds on the foundation musically of what we heard on the recent and incredible sun-drenched Live at Joshua Tree sessions, fusing together Yussef’s dynamic and head-nodding drum rhythms with Rocco Palladino‘s funky bass grooves, Charlie Stacey‘s cosmic keys, soulful saxophone lines from Venna and some solid additional percussion from Alexander Bourt. The album has a strong cohesive sound, flowing well from one song to the next and featuring everything from the modern jazz-dance gem “Black Classical Music” and the Latin-tinged “Afro Cubanism”, to the neo-soul like “Woman’s Touch”, the balearic “Jukebox” and beyond.

The session also includes an impressive number of notable special guest artists, including Chronixx, Masego, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Elijah Fox, Shabaka Hutchings, Miles James, Sheila Maurice Grey, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross and the Chineke! Orchestra, which is the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians.

Overall, Yussef Dayes and his superb band have put together a brilliant recording that truly captures the essence of their groove-oriented sound. One of that, rightfully so, should make many year-end “best” lists!