The nine-piece powerhouse ensemble known as Nubiyan Twist fans the fires of jazz funk with their new album, Find Your Flame.
Across the 12 tracks on Find Your Flame, Nubiyan Twist deftly navigate through a kaleidoscope of global grooves, soul, and jazz, infusing their signature sound with electronic elements, horn-led melodies, and spontaneous improvisation. It's quite an evolution for the group, as they welcome Sheffield-based vocalist Aziza Jaye to the forefront, adding a fresh dimension of Patois and R&B to their sound.
Find Your Flame is a heady, sun-drenched record brimming with impressive jams. Musical heavyweights Nile Rodgers and Seun Kuti lend their talents to “Lights Out” and “Carry Me,” soaking the album in their trademark disco and afrobeat mastery. Embracing the roots of UK sound system culture, the album takes dynamic turns, from the frenetic broken beat of the title track to reflective lyricism and lo-fi beats in “Reach My Soul” and “Battle Isn’t Over.”
Nubiyan Twist explore a diverse array of genres, venturing into grime and hip-hop territory on tracks like “Woman” and “Pray For Me (Part 1),” featuring rising UK-based MC NEONE the Wonderer. They hit into highlife and dabble in soukous with “Pray For Me (Part 2),” featuring long-time Ghanaian collaborator K.O.G., and neo-soul with the sensual vocals of Ria Moran. In addition, the exceptional Corto Alto from Glasgow makes an appearance on “You Don't Know Me.”
The album culminates in a sublime collaboration with ex-Salif Keïta backing singer Mamani Keïta, paying homage to traditional Malian music and the roots of the genres elegantly woven throughout the album. Reflecting on the album's creation, bandleader and producer Tom Excell explains, "It’s a snapshot of our collective influences and journeys throughout the time it was made. A catharsis for our struggles, yet a vessel for our joy."