CD review: Myele Manzanza – Crisis & Opportunity Vol. 1 London 2021: Video, CD cover

World-renowned drummer/composer, & producer/beatmaker, the bad musicians Myele Manzanza, has proved that he’s an artist who continues to dissolve the borders between modern jazz and electronic beat production. Having released three solo albums, and racking up tours and collaborations with Jordan Rakei, Theo Parrish, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Recloose and Amp Fiddler amongst others.

Myele is already developing a strong live presence in his new London base; his quartet has shared stages with the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bad Plus, Alfa Mist, and drawing packed houses to top venues such as The Jazz Café and Ronnie Scott’s. Tapping into the vibrant scene of his adopted home, Myele now readies his next project on DeepMatter Records.

‘Crisis & Opportunity’ Vol.1 – London features a top tier cast of young London based talent including Ashley Henry (piano), James Copus (trumpet), George Crowley (tenor saxophone), Benjamin Muralt (bass) and additional contributions from the legendary Mark de Clive-Lowe (synths), with Myele Manzanza (drums) captaining the ship.

Born out of Myele’s necessity to direct his creative energy in a productive direction and maintain his growth as an artist during the 2020 Covid 19 lockdown, ‘Crisis & Opportunity’ is a reflection of the time we currently live in as a global society. The EP draws the global health crisis, the parallel economic crisis as a consequence of the necessary lockdowns, and the broader racial crisis brought to the forefront as a result of the death of George Floyd. Whilst it has been a difficult time for Myele Manzanza as an artist, it’s offered him opportunities to pause, reflect, and set new creative directions.

Weaving his unique blend of forward-thinking genre-bending jazz, broken beat, electronica and world music, Manzanza drives ‘Crisis & Opportunity’ through a set of original compositions inspired by the city of London which he now calls home.

1. Myele Manzanza/Benjamin Muralt/Ashley Henry/George Crowley/James Copus – Big Deal 2 (Bigger Deals) (feat. Benjamin Muralt, Ashley Henry, George Crowley & James Copus)
2. Myele Manzanza/Benjamin Muralt/Ashley Henry/George Crowley/Mark de Clive-Lowe/James Copus – Portobello Superhero (feat. Benjamin Muralt, Ashley Henry, George Crowley, Mark de Clive-Lowe & James Copus)
3. Myele Manzanza/Benjamin Muralt/Ashley Henry/George Crowley/Mark de Clive-Lowe/James Copus – Brixton Blues (feat. Benjamin Muralt, Ashley Henry, George Crowley, Mark de Clive-Lowe & James Copus)
4. Myele Manzanza/Benjamin Muralt/Ashley Henry/George Crowley/Mark de Clive-Lowe/James Copus – London (feat. Benjamin Muralt, Ashley Henry, George Crowley, Mark de Clive-Lowe & James Copus)
5. Myele Manzanza/Benjamin Muralt/Ashley Henry/George Crowley/Mark de Clive-Lowe/James Copus – Crisis & Opportunity (feat. Benjamin Muralt, Ashley Henry, George Crowley, Mark de Clive-Lowe & James Copus)

Drums – Myele Manzanza
Piano – Ashley Henry
Trumpet – James Copus
Tenor Saxophone – George Crowley
Bass – Benjamin Muralt
Synths – Mark de Clive-Lowe