Dayes, Yussef: Black Classical Music (CD)

Celebrated multi-instrumentalist and visionary artist Yussef Dayes releases his highly anticipated debut solo studio album Black Classical Music, released via the revered Brownswood Recordings, Warners and Cashmere Thoughts Recordings. Alongside this, Dayes shares a first taster of the record, the title track “Black Classical Music” featuring Venna & Charlie Stacey. First single “Black Classical Music” is an incredible opening statement and entry point to this new chapter.

Black Classical Music is Dayes 19 track debut solo studio album. At every turn, Dayes distinctive drum licks and Rocco Palladino’s bass are the sturdy anchors; aided by Charlie Stacey (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone), Alexander Bourt (percussion), and a whole host of honourable features including: Chronixx, Masego, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Elijah Fox, 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 discography is expansive and wide reaching; his rise can be first linked to the Afrocentric quartet, United Vibrations, alongside his two brothers - Ahmad and Kareem - and saxophonist, Wayne Francis. This was followed by the meteorically sucessful, but short-lived duo Yussef Kamaal, with keyboardist Kamaal Williams. More recently, Dayes released Live At Joshua Tree, an EP presented by Soulection, and other solo releases including the live album Welcome To The Hills and Love Is The Message, which was recorded Live at Abbey Road Studios.

His list of collaborators is ever-growing and has blossomed to include the finest talents across both music and fashion. From 2020’s album What Kinda Music, a collaboration with Tom Misch released on Blue Note Records which charted in the Top 5, to an official remix of Pa Salieu’s “Frontline”, on Wizkid’s Made In Lagos album, plus production for R&B royalty in Kali Uchis and Kehlani and 2022’s joint release with Soulection entitled Live At Joshua Tree. The late Louis Vuitton innovator, Virgil Abloh, hand-picked Yussef to soundtrack and curate the LV dinner show for Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January 2019, as well as having Dayes perform at the Louis Vuitton Museum in Paris and collaborating on many other projects.

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. Turquoise Galaxy
6. The Light ft. Bahia Dayes
   
7. Pon Di Plaza ft. Chronixx
   
8. Magnolia Symphony
   
9. Early Dayes
   
10. Chasing The Drum
11. Birds Of Paradise
    
12. Gelato
    
13. Marching Band ft. Masego
    
14. Crystal Palace Park ft. Elijah Fox
    
15. Presidential ft. Jahaan Sweet
16. Jukebox
    
17. Woman's Touch ft. Jamilah Barry
    
18. Tioga Pass ft. Rocco Palladino
    
19. Cowrie Charms ft. Leon Thomas & Barbara Hicks