Ten years after the first Hackney Colliery Band record, the band has come a long way. Between their explosive live show, they’ve firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting bands to come out of London in the last decade. It’s fitting that they return with new material, the first since their applauded Sharpener from 2016. Collaborations Volume One features collaborations with a who’s who of world and jazz music. They’ve reached out far and wide to get a diverse blend of collaborating musicians, which include Ethio-jazz’s father, the legend himself Mulatu Astatke, Beninese singer-songwriter and Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo, trombonist Dennis Rollins, British jazz funkster James Taylor, as well as Uk saxophone player Dennis Rollins. Taking a cue from their live shows, they have channeled the grooves from these shows into eleven original recordings that showcase the moxie and energy of what Hackney Colliery Band are all about.

It’s hard to believe that 2019 is our tenth anniversary, but now we’re ten years older it felt like the right time to get back to our jazz roots. It’s been such a privilege to work with so many of our musical inspirations both old and new on this record, and we’re superexcited to be ushering in the next ten years with this new collaborative spirit: this is called Volume One for a reason…

The listener is treated to four previews from the record. “Mm Mm” which features Angélique Kidjo and Roundhouse Choir puts together some fire Beninese grooves, a choir, call and response, as well as some solid playing throughout. The bar is set high right from the beginning. “Netsanet”, featuring the great Mulatu Astatke, goes deep into his signature Ethio-jazz sound. Beautiful and authentic, this trip of a track elevates listening session even higher. “8 Crushing Lactic” (composed by Tom Rogerson) is a funk driven, brass filled, high speed ride throughout London. It’s intense and intriguing, the car chase soundtrack of a lost Guy Ritchie movie. Feels so good though, the sea of horns run right through you. Lastly, we’re treated to another collaboration with Mulatu Astatke again. You can never grow tired from this man’s music, where ever it is. “Derashe”, heavy on the vibraphone and shots from the horns, is a another reason that this record will shine bright through the sea of mediocrity today. This band is ten years into the scene known as British jazz, still ripping it up, still producing top notch tracks, still crushing it live, and most of all still innovating.

Check out the music below.

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