Yazz Ahmed - Polyhymnia (2019)

Polyhymnia is the third full-length from British-Bahraini trumpeter, composer, and bandleader Yazz Ahmed. Her remarkable meld of post-bop jazz, Arabic folk traditions, and electronic sound design has brought her to a prominent and influential place on London's vibrant jazz scene. Like 2017's La Saboteuse, the album is adorned with a stunning six-panel sleeve design by Sophie Bass. The music here is an extended suite-like work commissioned by Tomorrow's Warriors in 2015. It was performed by members of the Nu Civilisation Orchestra in a concert at the Women of the World Festival on International Women's Day.

The album is titled for the name of its inspiration: ancient Greece's muse of poetry, music, and dance. Each of the work's six compositions is inspired (and often named for) women of historical and cultural import: film director Haifaa Al-Mansour, civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, activist Ruby Bridges, saxophonist and bandleader Barbara Thompson, female education advocate Malala Yousafza, and, of course, the suffragettes of the early 20th century. This music conveys an extended message of empowerment that is not without struggle. It is performed by a large ensemble of more than 30 musicians and singers playing in varying groups; they include members of Ahmed's band, Hafla, and favorite players on the London scene.

The recorded version of Polyhymnia has been expanded considerably from its live version. Ahmed added elements such as her newly designed quarter-tone flugelhorn that expands the possibilities of the Western scale toward the "blue notes" of Arabic modal music. All of these pieces are extended; none is shorter than eight-and-a-half minutes. Opener "Lahan al-Mansour" (Melody of Al-Mansour) is dedicated to Saudi Arabia's first female film director. It has a minor modal intro played in layers of overdubbed flugelhorn framed by hand percussion, elliptical Rhodes piano, guitars, bass, drums, violin, and swirling saxophones. Composed lines and improvisations are intertwined in Ahmed's arrangement. In "Ruby Bridges," loping post-bop framed by flugelhorn and guitar meet a funky, pulsing bass line, swinging drums, and expansive, polytonal reeds and brass. "2857" (for Rosa Parks) is introduced by a bluesy Middle Eastern bass line and drum kit. Ahmed leads the horn section in a tune where gospel, folk, classical, and jazz intersect. Closer "Barbara" (for Barbara Thompson) juxtaposes contrapuntal statements on bass clarinet, multi-tracked alto saxophone, flugelhorn, and electric guitar with boisterous brass, strings, vibes, drums, percussion, and Rhodes. Avant and modern jazz meet pop and classical music in sections that range from propulsive, dynamic, and knotty to blissed-out and nearly pastoral, delivered in gloriously upbeat tones, myriad textures, and brilliant colors. Evidenced by Polyhymnia's ambitious scope and flawlessly executed meld of compositions, charts, and focused improvisation, Ahmed and her work no longer belong strictly to London, but to jazz the world over. ~ AllMusic Review by Thom Jurek



Track List:
1. Lahan al-Mansour. 9:57
2. Ruby Bridges. 9:42
3. One Girl Among Many. 9:32
4. 2857. 8:30
5. Deeds Not Words. 8:52
6. Barbara. 10:24

- Yazz Ahmed / trumpet, flugelhorn, Kaoss Pad & voice
- Alcyona Mick / piano & Fender Rhodes
- Alex Ridout / trumpet
- Becca Toft / trumpet & voice
- Camilla George / alto sax & voice
- Carol Jarvis / trombone, bass trombone & voice
- Charlie Pyne / double bass, bass guitar & voice
- Chloë Abbott / trumpet
- Corrina Silvester / percussion & voice
- Gemma Moore / baritone sax
- George Crowley / bass clarinet
- Helena Kay / alto sax & voice
- Johanna Burnheart / violin & voice
- Josie Simmons / baritone sax & voice
- Naadia Sheriff / piano
- Noel Langley / trumpet, flugelhorn & voice
- Nubya Garcia / tenor sax & voice
- Ralph Wyld / vibraphone & glockenspiel
- Rosie Turton / trombone & voice
- Samuel Hällkvist / guitars
- Sarah Tandy / piano, Fender Rhodes & voice
- Sheila Maurice-Grey / voice
- Shirley Tetteh / guitar & voice
- Sophie Alloway / drums & voice
- Tori Freestone / alto flute, soprano sax & tenor sax

All tracks composed and arranged by Yazz Ahmed
Produced by Noel Langley and Yazz Ahmed
Mixed by Tom Jenkins
Mastered by Robin Morrison

Recorded by Nick Pugh at Session Corner, Luton, in August and November 2016
Samuel's guitars were recorded in Copenhagen by Katrine Amsler at Valby Station and by August Wanngren at Virkeligheden Studio, 2019
Ralph, George and Naadia were recorded by Marco Pasquariello at Snap Studios, London, January 2019
Additional recording, overdubbing and editing at Tatami Studios by Noel Langley during 2017 - 2019



All thanks go to the vp_sunset

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