Nubiyan Twist, Nubiyan Twist (Wormfood)
What we mean by a "group" has grown in recent years to encompass everything from a boisterous guitar/drums duo to an amorphous horn-rich collective, and this Leeds-born band has made that journey of expansion as it embraced the music of Africa, America and Jamaica on the road to a very fine debut album indeed. Like our own Federation of the Disco Pimp or Fat Suit, Nubiyan Twist is packed with fine players, and, crucially, fronted by a charismatic singer in Nubiya Brandon. The jazz chops are present and correct, with opening track, Turu, built on an lovely arpeggiating sax figure, but this twelve-piece has an eclecticism that sets it apart. Straight Lines is the most retro offering, owing its style to the funk-bop of Lee Morgan or Hank Mobley that can still pack a dancefloor today, but Hypnotised owes more to the British reggae of Steel Pulse, Aswad or Capital Letters, complete with some old-school toasting (as distinct from rap). Figure Numatic is a slice of fusion funk, with hip-hop rapping this time, built on a trumpet riff and concluding with a drum solo that deliciously muffles out. Shake Me Down is a beautifully constructed 8 minutes 20 seconds of musical Minecraft. Addictive stuff.
Keith Bruce
