New/Sealed
JAZZ
NONESUCH 0725447
UPC: 5054197580444
Release Date: 9/8/2023
 
Black Classical Music, the first official solo release of the acclaimed UK drummer, Yussef Dayes. Across 19 tracks, it melds the spirit of everything from 70s funk, reggae and Senegalese percussion while simultaneously nodding to furious dancefloor pacings of the soundsystem continuum. At every turn, Yussef’s distinctive drum licks and Rocco Palladino’s bass are the sturdy anchors; aided by Charlie Stacey/Elijah Fox (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone) and a whole host of honorable features including: Chronixx, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Shabaka Hutchings, Miles James, Sheila Maurice Grey, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross and the Chineke! Orchestra, the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians.

Yussef Dayes’ rise can be first linked to the short lived duo Yussef Kamaal, with keyboardist Kamaal Williams who released one album Black Focus, in 2016. 2019/2020 birthed two EPs and one album within close proximity: Blackfriars, and Duality, and sandwiched in between, What Kinda Music, a collaboration with Tom Misch. Since then, his list of collaborators has blossomed to include an official remix of Pa Salieu’s “Frontline”, drums on “Motor City Madness (People Mover Remix)” for Waajeed, and on Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” album, plus production for Kali Uchis (“Blue”) and Kehlani (“Hate The Club”) and 2022’s joint release with Soulection entitled Live At Joshua Tree.
 
Disc 1
Track
Title
1
Black Classical Music (ft. Venna & Charlie Stacey)
2
Afro Cubanism
3
Raisins Under The Sun (ft. Shabaka Hutchings)
4
Rust (ft. Tom Misch)
5
Turqouise Galaxy
6
The Light (ft. Bahia Dayes)
7
Pon Di Plaza (ft. Chronixx)
8
Magnolia Symphony
9
Early Dayes
10
Chasing The Drums
Disc 2
Track
Title
1
Birds of Paradise
2
Gelato
3
Marching Band (ft. Masego)
4
Crystal Palace Park (ft. Elijah Fox)
5
Presidential (ft. Jahaan Sweet)
6
Jukebox
7
Woman’s Touch (ft. Jamilah Barry)
8
Tioga Pass (ft. Rocco Palladino)
9
Cowrie Charms (ft. Leon Thomas & Barbara Hicks)