Black Classical Music

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On multi-instrumentalist Yussef Dayes’ debut solo studio album, Black Classical Music, Dayes’ drum licks and Rocco Palladino’s bass are the anchors, 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.

Description

Multi-instrumentalist Yussef Dayes' highly anticipated debut solo studio album, Black Classical Music, was released September 8, 2023, via Brownswood Recordings, Warner Music, and Cashmere Thoughts Recordings and in the US on Nonesuch Records. You can watch the video for the title track, featuring Venna & Charlie Stacey, here:

"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.

ProductionCredits

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Yussef Dayes
Co-Producers: Miles James, Malcolm Catto, Tom Misch, Bahia Dayes, Chronixx, Rory Cashmere Pagan, Dave Dayes, Jason Delton Gray, Jahaan Sweet, Barbara Hicks, Masego
Recorded by Miles James, Matt Jagger & Christoph Skirl at Konk Studios, Malcolm Catto at Quartermass Sound Lab; Adam Syed Jaffrey & Tom Misch at Unwound Studios; Rory Cashmere Pagan at Oakside Studios; Miles James, Louis Pablo & Christoph Skirl at Echo Zoo Studios; Dave Dayes at Oakside Studios; Masego at Traphousejazz Studios; Rory Cashmere Pagan & Nicole Smidtz at The Village Studios; Jaycen Joshua, Rachel Blum, Jacob Richards, Mike Seaberg & DJ Riggins at Canton House Studios
Mixing Engineers: Russell Elevado, Rory Cashmere Pagan, Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes, Elijah Fox
Strings arranged by Izzy Dunn
Album mastered by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios

Cover Photography by Barbara Hicks
Artwork designed by Barka
Collage designed by Mary Maguire and Barka
Collage photography by Barbara Hicks, Dave Dayes, Barka, Sali Mudawi & Danika Magdelena
Additional layout by Mark James

FormatRestrictions

This album is available from Nonesuch Records in the United States only.

Album Status
Artist Name
Yussef Dayes
MusicianDetails

MUSICIANS
Yussef Dayes, drums (1-7, 9-13, 15-19), synthesizers (4, 7, 15, 17), vocals (6, 9), percussion (7)
Charlie Stacey, piano (1-3), keys (5, 6, 10-12, 17), synthesizers (5, 6, 10, 12, 18, 19), Rhodes (18, 19), grand piano (18)
Venna, saxophone (1, 2, 5, 10, 12, 13, 18), vocals (13, 18)
Rocco Palladino, bass (1-3, 5, 6, 10-12, 18), fretless bass (17, 18)
Alexander Bourt, congas (1-3), percussion (1-3, 10-12, 16-18)
Rory Cashmere Pagan, live effects (2, 10, 12)
Shabaka Hutchings, bass clarinet (3)
Miles James, guitar (3, 6, 12, 16, 19), synthesizers (6, 7, 17, 19), backing guitar (7)
Sheila Maurice Grey, trumpet (3)
Nathaniel Cross, trombone (3)
Theon Cross, tuba (3)
Tom Misch, guitar (4), bass (4), keys (4), vocals (4)
Bahia Dayes, vocals (6)
Paris Fabienne, vocals (6)
Chronixx, vocals (7), bass (7), lead guitar (7)
Adrian “Jerks” Henry, bass (7)
Dave Dayes, vocals (9)
Luzinho do Jêfe, percussion (10), vocals (10)
Tito Oliveira De Souza, additional drums (10)
Masego, vocals (13)
Elijah Fox, keys (13, 14), synthesizers (13, 14)
Maxwell Hunter, bass (13)
LA Gyaldem (Elyse, Kellie & Cydnei), voices (14)
Jahaan Sweet, keys (15), vocals (15), production (15)
Alex Bonfanti, bass (16)
Laurie Blundell, keys (16), synthesizers (16)
Jamilah Barry, vocals (17)
Barbara Hicks, savasana (19)
Leon Thomas, vocals (19)

Chineke! Orchestra (8, 18)
First Violin: Elodie Chousmer-Howelles, Laure Chan
Second Violin: Raye Harvey, Betania Johnny
Viola: Natalia Senior-Brown, Blaize Henry
Cello: Elliott Bailey

reissues?
new-release
Cover Art
UPC/Price
Label
2LP + MP3
Price
30.00
UPC
075597903287
Label
CD+MP3
Price
13.00
UPC
075597903300
Label
48/24 HD FLAC
Price
12.00
UPC
075597903492
Label
MP3
Price
11.00
UPC
075597903331

News & Reviews

  • Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Yussef Dayes, who is currently on tour in the US, stopped by KEXP in Seattle back in November following the release of his debut solo album, Black Classical Music, to perform three songs from the album—"Raisins Under the Sun," "Turquoise Galaxy," and "Chasing the Drum"—and talk with host Larry Mizell, Jr. about his work, what Mizell calls "some of the most exciting music I've heard in years." You can watch it here.

  • Congratulations to multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Yussef Dayes, whose debut solo studio album, Black Classical Music, has won the UK's Ivor Novello Award for Best Album. The Ivor Academy, which celebrates songwriters and screen composers with the awards, recognized Dayes and his fellow creators Rocco Palladino and Charlie Stacey in the citation. 

  • About This Album

    Multi-instrumentalist Yussef Dayes' highly anticipated debut solo studio album, Black Classical Music, was released September 8, 2023, via Brownswood Recordings, Warner Music, and Cashmere Thoughts Recordings and in the US on Nonesuch Records. You can watch the video for the title track, featuring Venna & Charlie Stacey, here:

    "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.

    Credits

    MUSICIANS
    Yussef Dayes, drums (1-7, 9-13, 15-19), synthesizers (4, 7, 15, 17), vocals (6, 9), percussion (7)
    Charlie Stacey, piano (1-3), keys (5, 6, 10-12, 17), synthesizers (5, 6, 10, 12, 18, 19), Rhodes (18, 19), grand piano (18)
    Venna, saxophone (1, 2, 5, 10, 12, 13, 18), vocals (13, 18)
    Rocco Palladino, bass (1-3, 5, 6, 10-12, 18), fretless bass (17, 18)
    Alexander Bourt, congas (1-3), percussion (1-3, 10-12, 16-18)
    Rory Cashmere Pagan, live effects (2, 10, 12)
    Shabaka Hutchings, bass clarinet (3)
    Miles James, guitar (3, 6, 12, 16, 19), synthesizers (6, 7, 17, 19), backing guitar (7)
    Sheila Maurice Grey, trumpet (3)
    Nathaniel Cross, trombone (3)
    Theon Cross, tuba (3)
    Tom Misch, guitar (4), bass (4), keys (4), vocals (4)
    Bahia Dayes, vocals (6)
    Paris Fabienne, vocals (6)
    Chronixx, vocals (7), bass (7), lead guitar (7)
    Adrian “Jerks” Henry, bass (7)
    Dave Dayes, vocals (9)
    Luzinho do Jêfe, percussion (10), vocals (10)
    Tito Oliveira De Souza, additional drums (10)
    Masego, vocals (13)
    Elijah Fox, keys (13, 14), synthesizers (13, 14)
    Maxwell Hunter, bass (13)
    LA Gyaldem (Elyse, Kellie & Cydnei), voices (14)
    Jahaan Sweet, keys (15), vocals (15), production (15)
    Alex Bonfanti, bass (16)
    Laurie Blundell, keys (16), synthesizers (16)
    Jamilah Barry, vocals (17)
    Barbara Hicks, savasana (19)
    Leon Thomas, vocals (19)

    Chineke! Orchestra (8, 18)
    First Violin: Elodie Chousmer-Howelles, Laure Chan
    Second Violin: Raye Harvey, Betania Johnny
    Viola: Natalia Senior-Brown, Blaize Henry
    Cello: Elliott Bailey

    PRODUCTION CREDITS
    Produced by Yussef Dayes
    Co-Producers: Miles James, Malcolm Catto, Tom Misch, Bahia Dayes, Chronixx, Rory Cashmere Pagan, Dave Dayes, Jason Delton Gray, Jahaan Sweet, Barbara Hicks, Masego
    Recorded by Miles James, Matt Jagger & Christoph Skirl at Konk Studios, Malcolm Catto at Quartermass Sound Lab; Adam Syed Jaffrey & Tom Misch at Unwound Studios; Rory Cashmere Pagan at Oakside Studios; Miles James, Louis Pablo & Christoph Skirl at Echo Zoo Studios; Dave Dayes at Oakside Studios; Masego at Traphousejazz Studios; Rory Cashmere Pagan & Nicole Smidtz at The Village Studios; Jaycen Joshua, Rachel Blum, Jacob Richards, Mike Seaberg & DJ Riggins at Canton House Studios
    Mixing Engineers: Russell Elevado, Rory Cashmere Pagan, Tom Misch, Yussef Dayes, Elijah Fox
    Strings arranged by Izzy Dunn
    Album mastered by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios

    Cover Photography by Barbara Hicks
    Artwork designed by Barka
    Collage designed by Mary Maguire and Barka
    Collage photography by Barbara Hicks, Dave Dayes, Barka, Sali Mudawi & Danika Magdelena
    Additional layout by Mark James

  • Format Availability

    This album is available from Nonesuch Records in the United States only.