YAZZ AHMED – Finding My Way Home (Reissue) – LP – Vinyl [NOV 15]

LP – Black Vinyl (2024 Reissue)

2011s “Finding My Way Home is the debut album by British-Bahraini trumpet player Yazz Ahmed. The album blends original compositions and improvisations, reflecting Yazz’s Arabic heritage and classic jazz influences from the 1950s and 60s. Inspired by her grandfather, jazz trumpeter, Terry Brown, Yazz developed a passion for the trumpet, leading to this unique musical exploration.

The album features collaborations with many notable musicians, including bass guitar virtuoso Janek Gwizdala. Yazz and Janek reconnected through Facebook after a decade apart, resulting in a recording session of duets, incorporating Arabic scales in pieces like “Embarkation” and Al Muharraq. Recorded in London, the intimate tracks highlight the synergy between flugelhorn and bass guitar.

Yazz’s original compositions, “Conciliation” and “Flip Flop“, are performed by her first quintet, featuring a classic jazz line-up. However, with the addition of percussionist, Corrina Silvester, now an ever-present collaborator, and bass clarinettist, Shabaka Hutchings, on “Wah-Wah Sowahwah“, we get a glimpse of whats to come as Yazzs music evolves.

The album culminates with the expansive title track, weaving together various elements key to Yazzs style, and capturing the essence of the album’s musical journey.

Tracklist:

Side A
1. Embarkation [1:51]
2. Wah-Wah Sowahwah [7:30]
3. Al Muharraq [2:16]
4. Conciliation [5:20]
5. The Birth Of The Fool [1:33]

Side B
1. Affirmation [5:45]
2. Birthdays, Birthdays [5:42]
3. Finding My Way Home [10:03]

Musicians featured on Finding My Way Home:
Yazz Ahmed – trumpet & flugelhorn
Janek Gwizdala – bass guitar
Shabaka Hutchings – bass clarinet & clarinet
Alam Nathoo – tenor sax
Chris Fish – cello
John Bailey – piano
Simon Hale – fender rhodes
Jay Darwish – bass
Laurence Cottle – bass guitar
George Hart – drums
Corrina Silvester – drum kit, darbuka, rigg &sagat