EZRA COLLECTIVE - Release New Album 'Here Because of Hope' via Partisan Records - Out Now
EZRA COLLECTIVE
RELEASE NEW ALBUM
‘HERE BECAUSE OF HOPE’
FEATURING FOCUS TRACK “EL CORAZÓN”
“REHEARSAL TAPES” LIVE VIDEO OUT NOW
SPECIAL LONDON UNDERPLAY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE THIS SEPT 16TH
Mercury Prize and BRIT Award-winning Ezra Collective today release their eagerly anticipated fourth studio album, ‘Here Because of Hope,’ out now via Partisan Records.
Arriving at another landmark moment for the band, ‘Here Because of Hope’ celebrates the journey of Black music from West Africa, through the Caribbean and ultimately into Britain, exploring the movement of people, culture and sound across generations, and the ways those histories continue to shape contemporary British music.
At its heart is the album’s irresistible, Salsa-influenced focus track “El Corazón.” The track is brought vividly to life alongside two further songs from the record in “Rehearsal Tapes,” a new official live video capturing the energy, musicianship and collective spirit at the core of Ezra Collective.
The album follows recent singles “Only Love” featuring Pa Salieu, “Well Organised” featuring Lila Iké and the euphoric instrumental “Jubilee Feeling.” Together, the three tracks trace the record’s central musical journey: “Only Love” drawing inspiration from West Africa, “Well Organised” travelling into the Caribbean and “Jubilee Feeling” bringing the story home to London through a joyous meeting of UK jazz and Funky House.
The singles have received major support across BBC Radio, with “Well Organised” newly added to the BBC Radio 1 A-List and 6Music AList, while “Only Love” reached the A-List at BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music BBC and Radio 1Xtra. Meanwhile, the band recently appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone UK and took over the Culture section of The Guardian’s Saturday magazine for a very special guest edit celebrating the band, the new record and themes behind the album.
To mark the album’s arrival, Ezra Collective will host a special ‘Here Because of Hope’ block party pop-up in London today. The release-day celebration will feature exclusive album formats, a gallery of stills from the record’s music videos, DJ sets from members of the EZ family and a bespoke food truck.
The band will then embark on a run of UK record-store appearances and out-store performances throughout September, including a very special, sold-out London underplay at The Roundhouse on September 16 which will include special guests.
The release comes ahead of Ezra Collective’s biggest global headline tour to date, spanning Australia, Asia, North America, Europe and the UK. Its UK climax will see the band play an extraordinary four sold-out nights at London’s O2 Academy Brixton, following previous sold-out headline performances at Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall.
“Here Because of Hope” opens the latest chapter in an extraordinary decade for Ezra Collective. After becoming the first jazz act to win the Mercury Prize and subsequently winning the BRIT Award for Group of the Year, the band have emerged as one of the defining British groups of their generation.
Their rise has taken them from London’s grassroots jazz community to major stages around the world, with performances at Glastonbury, Central Park SummerStage and Sydney Opera House, alongside headline shows at Wembley Arena, the Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club.
Across media, the band have now graced the covers of Rolling Stone UK, The Guardian’s Saturday magazine, ES Magazine, Mixmag, Music Week and The Observer New Review, alongside features in Vogue, Billboard, Rolling Stone and NME. Standout television appearances have included The Graham Norton Show and The Jonathan Ross Show.
Joy, freedom, community and possibility sit at the heart of ‘Here Because of Hope’, an album rooted in where Ezra Collective have come from, the people and musical traditions that shaped them, and the hope that continues to carry them forward.
EZRA COLLECTIVE UK LIVE DATES
16 SEP / London, UK / The Roundhouse
26 FEB / Bristol, UK / The Prospect Building - SOLD OUT
27 FEB / Bristol, UK / The Prospect Building - SOLD OUT
28 FEB / Bristol, UK / The Prospect Building
03 MAR / Nottingham, UK / Rock City - SOLD OUT
08 MAR / Glasgow, UK / O2 Academy
10 MAR / Edinburgh, UK / Usher Hall
12 MAR / Manchester, UK / Warehouse, Aviva Studios - SOLD OUT
13 MAR / Manchester, UK / Warehouse, Aviva Studios
14 MAR / Birmingham, UK / O2 Academy
18 MAR / London, UK / O2 Academy Brixton — SOLD OUT
19 MAR / London, UK / O2 Academy Brixton — SOLD OUT
20 MAR / London, UK / O2 Academy Brixton – SOLD OUT
21 MAR / London, UK / O2 Academy Brixton - SOLD OUT
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