Two pioneers of the London music scene, Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes come together from their respective musical backgrounds of electro-soul and experimental jazz for their long awaited collaborative project, What Kinda Music. The coupling up succeeds in bringing out the best from these two innovative performers, and straying from his usual melody-focussed aesthetic songwriting, Misch proves his worth as a musician, artist and producer.
Throughout the album Dayes’ virtuosic drumming is mixed high in the production, emphasising every detail and ounce of personality that he injects into the music. The raw talent of the duo shows as they bounce off each other in instrumentals such as “Sensational”. Similarly “Kyiv” showcases a masterclass of a jam between the London based jazzers, putting the music above anything else.
From the outset the listener asks ‘what kinda music’ this record defines, with glimpses of R&B, electro, acid jazz and Hip-Hop gleaming through the cohesive, unique sound of the album. The dreamy, trance-inducing coagulation of styles and influences injected into the project are present from the very first track, and the reverberated, psychedelic soundscape carries us through the 45 minute musical voyage.
The dreamy opening tracks, “What Kinda Music” and “Festival” set the scene for the album, and on “Nightrider”, an ethereal Hip-Hop beat and verse from Freddie Gibbs beautifully complements Misch’s vocals, providing a welcome contrast from the trance-like daze which could otherwise swamp the album.
Along with “Nightrider”, the following “Tidal Wave” and “The Real” are some of the few moments when the lyrics seem to be significant in the album. The lovesick crooning of “Tidal Wave” is stunningly reflected in the yearning emotion of the soundscape, and contrasted with the uplifting message and high pitched vocals of “The Real”.
There are minimal moments which seem not to work in the album. A throwback to Tom’s 2018 debut album “Geography” with the opening of “I did it for you”, at first seems as though it doesn’t belong in this track list, but quickly the build-up of texture reminds us of the atmosphere we’re here for. Along with the catchy chorus of “Last 100” these songs create a pleasant balance in the second half of the album.
Collaboration and respect between musicians is what makes this album such a special one. This is emphasized by features from Bassist Rocco Palladino and Saxophonist Kaidi Akinnibi. Respectively in “Lift Off” and “Storm Before The Calm”, the jazz sensations join Dayes and Misch and seamlessly fit into the project. The musicianship on show shines from all directions, and without forcing focus to one player at a time the trios manage to illuminate one another all at once in dazzling fashion.
It’s this respect for one another and for the music which makes this collaborative album so special. Misch, usually a solo artist, sings on “Nightrider”, ‘Mr Dayes with the break of the drums, It’s icy cold’ displaying the esteem in which the duo hold one another. Meanwhile the arguably deeper respect the pair have for the music itself is displayed throughout as musicianship lifts this collaboration to a higher level.
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