Awards,
Ezra Collective win Mercury Prize 2023
Having broken the curse of the ‘token jazz album’, Ezra Collective have finally achieved what was previously thought to be impossible in taking home this year’s Mercury Prize, a first for any British jazz act. Whilst the award is open to musicians from all genres of music, performers of this ilk have consistently been represented (albeit sparingly), with previous nominees including the likes of Nubya Garcia, Sons of Kemet and Portico Quartet. With their latest record, Where I'm Meant To Be, Ezra have cottoned onto the spirit of UK jazz, championing their hybrid sound which displays influences from grime and hip-hop, all the way to salsa and dub reggae. The mixture of their relentless energy and crowd-pleasing attitude makes for a perfect concoction of danceable jazzy beats and well-rounded creative fire, which has finally been brought into the spotlight. A timely win that speaks for all that is, has been and is still yet to come.
Discover the Ezra Collective discography here...
The new album is fit to burst with creative influences and arrives as perhaps the group's most ambitious work to date. A host of R&B royalty are featured within a mature and refined tracklist from the genre-bending young professionals, now comfortably flexing their evergreen chops and charisma.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Available Formats: 2 Vinyl Records, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The debut for the collective was marked by a handful of notable guest slots from Jorja Smith, Loyle Carner and KOKOROKO, embodying the collaborative spirit that has since become a regular move for the group. The trendy spirit of this record encapsulates the effervescence of their live shows as well as their more thoughtful studio efforts.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Looking back now, it's not hard to see that this second EP from the group was absolutely brimming in potential. Bringing some of their best-loved jams ('Juan Pablo', 'The Philosopher' and Sun Ra's 'Space Is The Place') to life for the first time on wax, it was it this point where we knew to expect big things to come from the boys.
Available Formats: Vinyl Record, MP3, FLAC
A groundbreaking compilation from early 2018 which featured the hottest (at the time) upcoming talent on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Recordings. The group's contribution, 'Pure Shade', initially came as a fine example of their London-centric afrobeat sound, with the tight rhythmic pairing of the Koleoso brothers instantly making itself known.
Available Format: CD
Barney Whittaker
