Ezra Collective Share New LP 'Where I'm Meant To Be', Toast Tony Allen In "No Confusion" Video f/ Kojey Radical

Ezra Collective Share New LP 'Where I'm Meant To Be', Toast Tony Allen In "No Confusion" Video f/ Kojey Radical


November 07, 2022

London-based free-jazz group Ezra Collective showcase the growth of their eclectic sounds on their album Where I'm Meant To Be which now arrives with visuals to the Kojey Radical-assisted "No Confusion".

We've seen them venture into rap territory before with the grime-injected "More Than A Hustler" with Novelist, but this time around we settle into more of their supple, Afrobeat rhythms. The drums and bass drive the overall sound while the horn sections converse with Kojey's verses. Each member delivers a poised performance which is expressed in the vintage Douglas Bernardt-directed visuals.

An underground club is the band's stage for the night as stylish members break out into joyous movement under their spell of rhythms. "No Confusion" is a loving salute to Nigerian drummer and composer Tony Allen whose work has left a massive imprint on the band's creativity.

Speaking on the famed Afrobeat drummer's towering influence, Femi Koleoso shares: "Drum lessons with Uncle Tony didn't just change my life, but Ezra Collective's. The most valuable thing he ever taught me was, always be yourself. Be who you are. Be proud of who you are. When you truly are who you're meant to be, you have no confusion.

"'Confusion' by Fela Kuti is one of the only recorded drum solos by Uncle Tony—it's so him, no one else could have played it. This track is so us. We're at a place where we really know who we are as a band—and there's "No Confusion" about it."

Aside from their riveting instrumental performances, Where I'm Meant To Be invites Nao, Emeli Sandé, and Sampa The Great for a whirlwind of life-affirming sounds, which you can check out after the visuals below.



Words: Blessing Borode
Photography: Marco Grey


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