Over recent years, Ezra Collective have cemented themselves as a cornerstone of the UK music scene, transcending the “jazz” label with a distinctive and joyous sound that now feels indispensable. With the release of their third LP, ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’, the band pays homage to the rhythms of their home city and the global dancefloors that have shaped them.
The record is an ode to the freedom and catharsis of dance. It’s structured to reflect the ups and downs of a night out, seamlessly ebbing and flowing as one act transitions into another – taking listeners on a journey to the dancefloor. “This record is the documentation of travelling the world with the band,” says drummer Femi Koleoso. “And, one of the things that became rocket fuel during that time was the crazy feeling of making people dance.”
In this way, ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’ is an attempt to bottle the energy of the band’s live performances. At 19 tracks, it’s a lengthier offering than their previous LPs, featuring stage intros, interludes, and the warm hubbub of an audience between their intricate and playful instrumentation. While perhaps not as watertight as the group’s Mercury-winning predecessor, it feels more akin to the loose rhythms and youthful abandon of their notorious live shows.
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London once again provides the backbone of their sound. The mellifluous vocals of Yazmin Lacey and Olivia Dean (who both hail from the city) glisten on their respective features – ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ and ‘No One’s Watching Me’. ‘N29’ is a nod to the night bus that carries late-night revellers from Trafalgar Square back to Enfield. There’s even a cameo from Arsenal football legend Ian Wright during the intro of ‘Shaking Body’.
The highlife-inspired ‘Palm Wine’ is a nod to West African cultures, while Ghanaian rapper M.anifest and South African singer Moonchild Sanelly deliver standout contributions on ‘Streets Is Calling’. Whether paying tribute to the spiritual roots of Black Church music or drawing inspiration from Pharrell and Fela Kuti on ‘The Herald’, Ezra’s ability to blend far-reaching sounds into something cohesive and celebratory remains unmatched.
Ultimately, ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’ is a joyful reminder of music’s ability to bring people together, to move us, and to make us dance.
8/10
Words: Dan McCarthy
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