A selection of songs that inspire the sound of Ezra Collective
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(Credits: Far Out / Spotify)
London’s rising stars Ezra Collective have left an undeniable mark on the psyche of not only UK jazz fans, but all lovers of music. Jazz, not only as a genre, but as a mindset, has never quite left its seat at the table, but instead, the group have made an unstoppable effort to reposition and reclaim its power, pushing it to the forefront of modern British music.
After being crowned the winners of the Mercury Prize in 2023, the group subsequently blew the roof off with an electrifying performance, only to later admit they wanted to celebrate their win by stopping off at McDonald’s in Enfield Retail Park. Humble beginnings, however, do not always equate to humble showmanship. Ezra Collective are aware of their greatness, and they don’t intend on being quiet about it, but why should they? The group’s jaw-dropping win may have surprised everyone, but only until they let their playing do the talking.
Since then, their win has coaxed some kind of renaissance within the London jazz scene, a catalyst for hundreds of jazz heads and first-time listeners to crawl out from beneath the woodwork and nestle themselves into secret, candlelit bars in Dalston, make their way to underground jam nights in Brentwood, or even let loose at sprawling street carnivals south of the river.
Now with their fourth studio album Dance, No One’s Watching released into the world, Ezra Collective have inadvertently made Jazz not only an exciting and integral part of UK music again, but an inclusive and affordable experience for all. With visionary saxophonist Camilla George now flowering on the circuit, it’s easy to see why it’s had such an impassioned rebirth. Like many bands and artists, inspiring music is created from deep influence.
Among the tracks selected is Fela Kuti’s classic ‘Water Get No Enemy’. Driven by a desire to harmonise with nature, the song’s message is that water is absolutely essential to keep us all alive, and only a fool would choose to be its enemy. This is a track about being able to cut across all boundaries, something that Ezra Collective are able to do seamlessly.
It is also pertinent in the 21st century when water scarcity is a major factor underscoring many of the world’s current conflicts. Kuti somehow makes this point firmly but in an invigoratingly groovy fashion. Ezra Collective has certainly taken heed of this mix of substance and style.
Speaking of style, it is also no surprise that the outfit take inspiration from Herbie Hancock’s ‘Eye of The Hurricane’. Much like the title, from the very moment you listen, you’re instantly transported into the heart of a storm, a lone boat hurtling towards chaos. Hancock creates beautiful imagery with his music, and this is one of his finest vignettes.
Hancock is also a highly accessible star. Much like Ezra Collective, the maestro’s approach is heartily welcome people into the complex world of jazz. ‘Eye of The Hurricane’ is far from as harsh as you may think, it’s the calm centre of a world to be explored.
In a blend of the new and old, another pivotal voice that the band lean on is Moses Boyd, highlighting his signature tune as a staple. Perhaps his best known track, ‘Rye Lane Shuffle’ is infused with a simple yet captivating bass line, while the drums remain volatile and restless as the track grows more manic. The young British drummer and bandleader is a key figure in the modern jazz scene.
His inclusion in the list typifies the movement’s unification. As Boyd said himself, “You can’t really do it on your own, so it becomes a real community—it’s in the DNA of the music”. This makes for a beautiful collective sound.
Then there’s ‘Electric Relaxtion’ which shows A Tribe Called Quest at their smoothest and coolest, showcasing some of the hip hop powerhouse’s best beats with both wit and tragedy expertly weaved in. Their music, at its best, was an absolutely vital expression, and it still lands with force today.
Hip hop is one of the many evident influences on Ezra Collective’s sound. They are a band that very much continues the 21st-century leap of genre dissolution, blending everything they please into a melee that goes beyond jazz. This makes it beautifully encapsulating that they round things out by not forgetting their own groovy originality, selecting ‘Mace Windu Riddim’ as the anthem they always return to.
The songs that inspire Ezra Collective:
- Fela Kuti – ‘Water Get No Enemy’
- Herbie Hancock – ‘Eye of The Hurricane’
- Moses Boyd – ‘Rye Lane Shuffle’
- A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Electric Relaxation’
- Dubkasm feat. Ras Addis – ‘Jah Bible’
- Giggs – ‘Talkin The Hardest’
- Newham Generals – ‘Hard’
- Patrice Rushen – ‘Forget Me Nots’
- The Internet – ‘Roll (Burbank Funk)’
- Ezra Collective – ‘Mace Windu Riddim’
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