Sound and Reason

Four of London's most dynamic musicians enter the studio in April 2021. Then follows a two-day voyage of all-improvised sonic exploration, rooted in contemporary funk- and hip-hop-informed jazz, with elements of downtempo and trip-hop, an 80s synth aesthetic, hints of dub, ambient and Afrobeat and nods to Afrofuturism. They emerge with 13 hours of music. Two years later, that material has been boiled down and massaged into a lovely 41-minute debut album.

The quartet is Tal Janes on guitar, Ben Reed on bass, Joseph Costi on keys and bandleader Yusuf Ahmed on drums – each member plays a vital role, and their layers of melody and atmosphere reward repeated listening: maybe this time a bassline will jump out at you, or some inspired guitar vamps, or a pleasing synth pad. The most striking track is ‘Vagherah’, built around a sample of great qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan speaking at a London concert. Placed in front of a super draggy beat, it gives an interesting effect of Khan rapping – it's strange but it works really well.

What a way for Qwalia to make their mark. Definitely one to keep an ear on.