Ezra Collective

Jack Daniel’s needs no introduction. A global brand, it’s been the tipple of choice for many a musician and music goer for many a year. Partnering up with the renowned Metropolis Studios in West London, together they’re bringing a series of four intimate live-to-vinyl sessions with some of the UK’s rising stars. Kicking off the first Saturday was British jazz quintet Ezra Collective, with their vibrant and eclectic fusion of afrobeat, hip-hop, and soul, seasoned with a good sprinkling of Calypso sunshine.

Only a limited number of fans were invited to share in the experience, which along with a cocktail or two, included a tour of the studios which over the years has produced some significant cuts from the likes of Amy Winehouse, Adele, Stormzy - to name just a few. Then there was opportunity to be in the studio with the engineers and witness the band perform a selection of tunes, recorded live and cut straight onto vinyl in real-time. An EP that will be printed in limited number and released later in the year.

As Ezra Collective took their place in the studio, bandleader and drummer Femi Koleoso announced to everyone’s delight that they had chosen to write five new pieces especially for this occasion - each composition named after a city that each of the five band members have some experience with or connection to, with the EP to be titled Lay Over. A 40-second countdown marked the start and anticipation among fans and studio engineers alike was high. Then as smooth and as slick as could be, the band slid into the opening bars of first track Miami and with it there was the surreal - almost spiritual – visceral awareness of the music literally being captured in time and turned into something solid as the cutting machine was seen on the monitor to be whirring away in another room.

During a Q&A with the band at the end, they explained how these new tunes came about from being in a place of recovery between an intense festival season and ahead of them promoting the new album - Dance, No One’s Watching - which is set to be released later this month. Jazz of course has a long, rich history and Ezra Collective – with their discerningly chosen collaborations – are piquing a younger generation’s interest. Winning the Mercury Prize in 2023 put the band on the map with their compositions showing people that jazz is, in keyboardist Joe Armon-Jones own words, less about chin-stroking and more a thing that people can dance to.

The music is infectious for sure, and it was hard not to get out of our seats and move to the vibe, but that might have interfered with the recording, so sit tight we did, but for a short pause in between when the cutting machine was set up to record side B. The five new tracks ebbed and flowed and on this first real-time listen there was a sense of cohesion - of them belonging together in the one place. Together, the five musicians make it all look so easy and effortless, which of course belies their extraordinary talent and the deep connection they share as friends. Talking with bassist TJ at the end, he suggested that the heart of the band beats not just for the music, but a wider shared passion for being a force for good - how they impact the people and communities around them.

Being up close and personal, sharing the intimate creative experience with a vibrant and talented band such are Ezra Collective was a real treat. With Pale Waves, Maverick Sabre and Nova Twins set to perform similar live-to-vinyl sessions at Metropolis over the coming Saturdays in early autumn, it’s a reminder too of how much energy and passion is bubbling away in the UK music scene.


Photo credit: Tom Rowland @toxrowlang