YAZZ AHMED – La Saboteuse (Reissue) – 2LP – Vinyl [NOV 15]

2LP – Black Vinyl (2024 Reissue)

Yazz Ahmed is a British-Bahraini trumpet player and composer. Through her music, she seeks to blur the lines between jazz, Arabic folk and electronic sound design, bringing together the sounds of her mixed heritage in what has been described as psychedelic Arabic jazz, intoxicating and compelling.

In 2017, Bahraini-British trumpeter and flugelhorn player Yazz Ahmed revolutionised jazz with her album “La Saboteuse,” blending her dual heritage with electronic effects to redefine the genre. The record delves into her British and Bahraini roots, featuring musicians like Lewis Wright and Shabaka Hutchings, and is characterised by its Middle Eastern melodies and evocative rhythms, exploring themes of self-doubt personified by a female saboteur.

Yazzs early years in Bahrain and her grandfather’s trumpet playing in London inspired her musical journey, with the influence of modern-day contemporary jazz artists – and Ahmeds own contemporaries like Kamasi Washington and Sons of Kemet also seeping in. Her unique sound incorporates Arabic melodies, reflecting her cultural heritage and British jazz influences. Yazz also challenges the male-dominated jazz sphere, empowered by a rising number of female musicians. Despite improvements, she believes more progress is needed.

Looking forward, Yazz Ahmed plans to create a piece inspired by the universe’s ever-changing structures, signalling her continuous innovation in jazz. Her work positions her as a vital part of the evolving jazz landscape, bridging cultural and musical divides.

The Wire – Jazz Album of the year
Bandcamp – The Best Albums of 2017 (All Genres – #18)
Bandcamp – The Best Jazz Albums of 2017
Bandcamp – Editors Favourite Albums of 2017 (Marcus J Moore)
The Vinyl Factory – Top 50 albums of 2017 (all genres) #15
Stereogum – The Best Jazz Albums of 2017 (#2)
The Bird Is The Worm – Album Of The Year
Contemporary Jazz Club – Best Jazz Albums Of 2017
Treblezine – Best Jazz Albums Of 2017

..Gilles Peterson will be all over this.. – The Quietus

let Ahmed take you on a beautiful journey of forward-thinking jazz compositions.
– Twistedsoul

its potent mix of post-bop lyricism and modern fusion soundscaping makes connections with both head and heart. – Dave Sumner, Bandcamp

Even if youre not familiar or terribly interested in jazz, Ahmeds music deserves your attention, and shell most likely make you second guess your thoughts on jazz.
– Headphone Nation

Tracklist:

Side A
1. Inhale [1:20]
2. Jamil Jamal [8:12]
3. Misophonia [1:13]
4. The Space Between The Fish and the Moon [5:05]

Side B
1. La Saboteuse [4:32]
2. Al Emadi [6:15]
3. Inspiration Expiration [1:03]

Side C
1. The Lost Pearl [7:19]
2. Bloom [5:11]

Side D
1. Beleille [7:22]
2. Whirling [0:42]
3. Organ Eternal [7:22]
4. Exhale [1:25]