Yussef Dayes - Black Classical Music (2023)

Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and visionary artist Yussef Dayes today announces his highly anticipated first solo studio album, "Black Classical Music," to be released via the acclaimed labels Brownswood Recordings, Warners and Cashmere Thoughts Recordings. At the same time, Dayes shares a first taste of the album, the title track "Black Classical Music" featuring Venna & Charlie Stacey.

The first single, "Black Classical Music" is an incredible opening statement and entry into this new chapter.

Dayes introduces Black Classical Music in his own words:
"What is jazz? Where did the word come from? Born in New Orleans, born in the belly of the Mississippi, rooted in the gumbo pot of the Caribbean, South American culture and African rituals. In the tradition of Miles Davis, Rahssan Roland kirk, Nina Simone, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong ~ music that is constantly evolving & limitless in its potential. The groove, the feeling, the compositions, the spontaneity, the love of family, the discipline & dedication to maintain the very high bar set by the pantheon of Black Classical Musicians. The rhythm of the drums imitating their own heartbeat, the melodies for the mind & soul, the bass for the core. A royal sound for this body of music".

"Black Classical Music" is Daye's 19 track debut solo studio album. At every turn, Daye's distinctive drum licks and Rocco Palladino's bass are the stable anchors; they are supported by Charlie Stacey (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone), Alexander Bourt (percussion) and a host of honorable 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 composed of a majority of black and ethnically diverse musicians.

Yussef Daye's discography is extensive and wide-ranging; his rise can first be associated with the Afrocentric quartet United Vibrations, in which he played with 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 the EP Live At Joshua Tree, presented by Soulection, as well as other solo releases, including the live album Welcome To The Hills and Love Is The Message, recorded live at Abbey Road Studios.

His list of collaborators continues to grow and now includes the best talents in music and fashion. From the 2020 album What Kinda Music, a collaboration with Tom Misch on Blue Note Records that hit the Top 5 on the charts, to an official remix of Pa Salieu's Frontline on Wizkid's Made In Lagos album, to productions for R&B legends Kali Uchis and Kehlani, and the 2022 joint release with Soulection titled Live At Joshua Tree. The late Louis Vuitton innovator Virgil Abloh selected Yussef to score and curate the LV dinner show for Paris Men's Fashion Week in January 2019. Dayes also performed at the Louis Vuitton Museum in Paris and collaborated on many other projects.

TRACKLIST

1. Yussef Dayes Feat. Venna & Charlie Stacey - Black Classical Music (feat. Venna & Charlie Stacey)
2. Yussef Dayes - Afro Cubanism
3. Yussef Dayes - Raisins Under the Sun (feat. Shabaka Hutchings)
4. Yussef Dayes Feat. Tom Misch - Rust (feat. Tom Misch)
5. Yussef Dayes - Turquoise Galaxy
6. Yussef Dayes Feat. Bahia Dayes - The Light (feat. Bahia Dayes)
7. Chronixx & Yussef Dayes - Pon di Plaza
8. Yussef Dayes - Magnolia Symphony
9. Yussef Dayes - Early Dayes
10. Yussef Dayes - Chasing the Drum
11. Yussef Dayes - Birds of Paradise
12. Yussef Dayes - Gelato
13. Yussef Dayes Feat. Masego - Marching Band (feat. Masego)
14. Yussef Dayes - Crystal Palace Park (feat. Elijah Fox)
15. Yussef Dayes - Presidential (feat. Jahaan Sweet)
16. Yussef Dayes - Jukebox
17. Yussef Dayes - Woman's Touch (feat. Jamilah Barry)
18. Yussef Dayes Feat. Rocco Palladino - Tioga Pass (feat. Rocco Palladino)
19. Yussef Dayes - Cowrie Charms (feat. Leon Thomas and Barbara Hicks)