As AI becomes an increasing threat to humans trying to make a living from creative activities, Nubiyan Twist’s latest album is a defiant riposte. It is a celebration of the joyful energy and chaos that comes from musicians getting together in a room to play. While that could imply a scrappy sound, it would be a wildly inaccurate description of the ensemble. ‘Chasing Shadows’ represents a skilful interception of jazz, afrobeat, hip hop and electronics, fused with a mastery that reflects the nine-piece band’s background having formed in 2011 while studying at the Leeds College of Music.
Their fifth album resists the temptation of indulging in extended jams, all eleven tracks timing around the four-minute mark. New vocalist, Eniola Idowu, brings an extra soulful touch to the songs on which she features as well as displaying considerable versatility. A four-piece horn section consisting of Nick Richards (alto sax), Denis Scully (tenor sax), Jonathan Enser (Trumpet) and Hannah-Mae Birtwell (baritone sax) are one of the standout elements throughout the record bringing energy and emotion, as exemplified on opening track, ‘Azimuth’ on which Idowu tries to come to terms with her thoughts, driving herself crazy with self-analysis. Lewis Moody adds jazzy piano flourishes to create a mood that is tasteful but emotional and driven by Finn Booth’s busy drums. On the dappled ‘Sunlight’, Idowu switches between rap and jazz-tinged soul vocals while trying to find healing. ‘Echoes’ develops from smouldering soul to a high energy dance workout. With its command to “no be fake” and “open to your soul let your spirit fly”, ‘Body Flows’ hits a sweet spot between jazz funk and Afrobeats while Idowu switches nimbly between singing and rapping.
Numerous guests are dotted throughout ‘Chasing Shadows’, in part taking advantage of contacts that bandleader and producer, Tom Excell, has made performing with Damon Albarn’s Africa Express. The Pharcyde’s emcee Booty Brown provides a rap on the space age funk of ‘Red Herring’, sketching a tale that serves as a metaphor for the misdirection of tech giants and the AI industry, representing a refusal to be snared by the illusion. Grammy-nominated Malian singer, Fatoumata Diawara, provides vocals on the title track. The song is an exploration of motherhood, the difficulties of being away from her children while touring and what is passed down between the generations. With some excellent guitar lines from Excell, horn section blowing in unison and drums providing fluid rhythmic propulsion, it is one of the album’s highlights.
‘How Far’ sees M.anifest share vocals with Idowu on a tale of “braggers and boasters, toil on their holsters” which mixes African guitar with chilled-out grooves. The especially dynamic and thrilling ‘Message’ has effective vocal interplay between Mr Williamz and Idowu, high stakes horn propulsion and a trumpet solo that adds to the wild mood. The Zawose Queens provide a call for unity and justice on ‘Mlonje – Voices Joined’, a piece of dizzying rhythmic complexity. The instrumental ‘Threads’ has Patrice Rushen guesting on jazz piano and throws some samba percussion band shapes as well as boasting some cool horn blowing. Joe Armon-Jones, whose virtuoso playing can be heard as part of Ezra Collective and Nubya Garcia’s band, contributes Rhodes to ‘Rhythm of You’, a piece of lover’s rock-tinged positivity that ends ‘Chasing Shadows’ on a mellow high.
What makes ‘Chasing Shadows’ so impressive is the way that various styles marry seamlessly. It is a record that has variety and cohesiveness, managing to combine smoothness with energy. Oozing positivity even when confronting life’s trials, it is a celebration of a collective coming together for the joy of creating music.
Nubiyan Twist: Chasing Shadows – Out 20 March 2026 (Strut Records)
Twist – Chasing Shadows ft. Fatoumata Diawara (Official Music Video)
I was editor of the long-running fanzine, Plane Truth, and have subsequently written for a number of publications. While the zine was known for championing the most angular independent sounds, performing in recent years with a community samba percussion band helped to broaden my tastes so that in 2021 I am far more likely to be celebrating an eclectic mix of sounds and enthusing about Made Kuti, Anthony Joseph, Little Simz and the Soul Jazz Cuban compilations as well as Pom Poko and Richard Dawson.
