Black Classical Music Yussef Dayes

• 1 Black Classical Music (feat. Venna & Charlie Stacey) 05:19
• 2 Afro Cubanism 02:45
• 3 Raisins Under the Sun (feat. Shabaka Hutchings) 04:31
• 4 Rust (feat. Tom Misch) 03:58
• 5 Turquoise Galaxy 03:11
• 6 The Light (feat. Bahia Dayes) 05:40
• 7 Pon di Plaza 03:49
• 8 Magnolia Symphony 01:37
• 9 Early Dayes 00:34
• 10 Chasing the Drum 05:40
• 11 Birds of Paradise 04:09
• 12 Gelato 04:46
• 13 Marching Band (feat. Masego) 04:44
• 14 Crystal Palace Park (feat. Elijah Fox) 02:32
• 15 Presidential (feat. Jahaan Sweet) 02:42
• 16 Jukebox 02:39
• 17 Woman's Touch (feat. Jamilah Barry) 03:31
• 18 Tioga Pass (feat. Rocco Palladino) 07:56
• 19 Cowrie Charms (feat. Leon Thomas and Barbara Hicks) 03:51
• Total Runtime 01:13:54

Info for Black Classical Music

Yussef Dayes releases his highly anticipated 19 track debut solo studio album ‘Black Classical Music’, released via the revered Brownswood Recordings, Warners and Cashmere Thoughts, features including Rocco Palladino, Charlie Stacey (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone), Alexander Bourt (percussion), Chronixx, Masego, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Elijah Fox, Shabaka Hutchings, Miles James, Sheila Maurice Grey, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross and the Chineke! Orchestra.

“My debut album and an art piece that has been in the works since the beginning. Feelings of love, healing, grief, inspiration, more life, unity, groove, spirit and travels…This album is the embodiment of my life to this point. For everyone that has supported my art or is discovering my music now, I am grateful to be able to share this with you” (Yussef Dayes)

"What is jazz,” Dayes asks. “Where did the word derive from? Birthed in New Orleans, born in the belly of the Mississippi River, rooted in the gumbo pot of the Caribbean, South American culture, and African rituals. Continuing a lineage of Miles Davis, Rahssan Roland Kirk, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong—music that is forever evolving and limitless in its potential. The groove, its feeling, the compositions, the spontaneity, with a love for family, the discipline and dedication in maintaining the very high bar set by the pantheon of Black Classical Musicians. Chasing the rhythm of drums that imitated one's heartbeat, the melodies for the mind and spirit, the bass for the core. A Regal sound for this body of music."

Yussef Dayes’ drum licks and Rocco Palladino’s bass are the anchors to Dayes’ nineteen-track debut solo studio album, aided by Charlie Stacey (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone), Alexander Bourt (percussion), and a host of 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’ career 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 highly successful 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 extensive list of collaborators includes talents across both music and fashion—from 2020’s Top 5-charting collaboration with Tom Misch, What Kinda Music (Blue Note), to an official remix of Pa Salieu’s “Frontline” on Wizkid’s Made in Lagos album to production for R&B artists Kali Uchis and Kehlani. Dayes had a special artistic relationship with the late Louis Vuitton innovator Virgil Abloh, who hand-picked him to soundtrack and curate a Louis Vuitton dinner show for Paris Men’s Fashion Week and invited him to perform at the Louis Vuitton Museum in Paris, among other collaborations.

Yussef Dayes, drums
Charlie Stacey, piano
Venna, saxophone
Rocco Palladino, bass
Alexander Bourt, congas & percussion

Yussef Dayes
is a tour-de-force behind the drums. Widely recognised as one of the most electrifying live performers of his generation, watching the South London-raised producer, composer and drummer perform is an exhilarating combo of technical prowess, intensity and emotion – leaving audiences in no doubt as to the role of rhythm in channelling spiritual energy.

Growing up in South East London, Yussef began his musician journey listening to his dad’s jazz records, and performing with his brothers from age 4. He’s gone on to study with the legendary Billy Cobham, and began regular gigging with his brothers in afrobeat and rock-influenced jazz outfit United Vibrations. He is also known for his collaboration with Kamaal Williams, creating the duet Yussef Kamaal in 2015. Following 2018’s ‘Love Is The Message’ - Yussef’s first solo release - 2019 is set to be his busiest year yet, with a debut solo album in the pipeline as well as collaborative projects across the board.

This album contains no booklet.