Yellow brims with kindness and connection through its musical messages, reminding us refreshingly of what it is to be a human among humans.
For all the preposterousness, and preposterous ambition, there’s an authenticity that comes from someone reflecting themselves with total conviction, that makes it hard not to love.
Some of the best moments here are her twitchy funk miniatures, driven by tuba basslines, distorted Fender Rhodes riffs and chant-based vocals, which leave you wanting more.
Yellow is a triumph of Thackray’s singular vision. A positive, consistent, joyously listenable and danceable album, which somehow pulls off being both instantly memorable and continually surprising.
Thackray crams a lot into the 14 tracks of her cerebral yet deeply groovy debut.
As was intended, Yellow is an album of elemental joys and unity. It’s taking what is inherently a complex form of music – and is still highly technical in the hands of these players – and makes it into something for all to enjoy
With Yellow, Thackray solidifies her place in the vanguard of London acts bringing younger audiences to jazz.
Yellow has the hallmarks of a record you might happen upon after hours of thumbing through miscellaneous LPs at a flea market, whose tonal poise and propensity for experimentation are too invigorating and interesting to keep to yourself.
Emma-Jean Thackray - Yellow
Genre: Jazz Fusion
Country: UK
Final Verdict: 62% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 320th / 804
Highlight: Third Eye
Made me think of:
Sons of Kemet
Jeff Parker
Nubya Garcia
A really interesting blend of jazz, soul and electronics that i will definitely be returning to
For many years now, the U.K. has brought a nice breath of fresh air into current jazz scenes and that continues to be true with the debut album Yellow from bandleader Emma-Jean Thackray. Throughout this tight set of tracks, you here her and her band bring together not only jazz, but funk, soul and psychedelia. This blending of sounds go well with the lyrical themes of the songs focusing on bringing people together and reminding us we are all united and created equally in the same way. I really ... read more
The UK is proving to be an absolute hotspot for bold new sounds in contemporary jazz with the likes of Comet Is Coming, Sons Of Kemet, Nubya Garcia, Soweto Kinch and countless others changing the landscape of the genre today. Step up Leeds born bandleader, producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Emma-Jean Thackray with their self-released smash debut full length Yellow. Thackray brings so much spirituality and soulful vibes to the fore here with a multi-faceted record that leans as much into ... read more
Emma-Jean Thackray's debut album is one of the most refreshing jazz albums of the year - an excellent blend of spiritual jazz (see opener 'Mercury'), jazz-funk (see 'Venus' and 'Green Funk') and dance beats (see lead single 'Say Something'). The vocal delivery is infectious and full of energy (see 'Third Eye' and 'Sun'). Excited to see what she does next.
Favourite Tracks: Mercury, Say Something*, Venus, Third Eye, Sun, Spectre, Our People
1 | Mercury 5:44 | |
2 | Say Something 3:49 | |
3 | About That 2:15 | |
4 | Venus 6:34 | |
5 | Green Funk 2:01 | |
6 | Third Eye 2:49 | |
7 | May There Be Peace 1:24 | |
8 | Sun 3:06 | |
9 | Golden Green 4:04 | |
10 | Spectre 4:27 | |
11 | Rahu & Ketu 4:13 | |
12 | Yellow 2:02 | |
13 | Our People 4:46 | |
14 | Mercury (In Retrograde) 1:57 |
#12 | / | Gigwise |
#40 | / | The Vinyl Factory |
#69 | / | Albumism |
#71 | / | MOJO |
#80 | / | Piccadilly Records |
/ | The Key |