Azamiah, the enigmatic quintet hailing from Glasgow, has descended upon us, bearing an auditory gift known as ‘In Phases,’. A debut project for the band it emerges as a testament to the power of collaboration in the wake of a pandemic-ridden era, this collective exudes an energy that ritualises SAULT and Ishmael Ensemble, with music innovative in the rich texture of instrumental experimentation and ear to modern ambience. With their 12 tracks, Azamiah invites listeners on a succinct yet enchanting 37-minute journey into the realm of meticulously crafted, and as I can only describe it, free-spirited jazz entwined with the vibrant rhythms of world music and the soulful essence of R&B (I think they just say genre-fluid).
Made of India Blue (vocals), Josef Akin (keys), Norman Villeroux (bass / ocarina), Alex Palmer (drums) and Romy Wymer (harp) the album also has featured Finn Rosenbaum (percussion), Liam Shortall (trombone) and Mateusz Sobieski (saxophone), the album was released on June 16th 2023 and the project features two singles ‘Night Woman’ and ‘Celestra’. However, first, the opening, with the title track ‘Phases’ is easy to digest this is a nourishment for tranquil thought with an imitation of nature. Supported by India Blue’s liquid vocals, she really begins to shine by track three, with her choral siren echoes in ‘Half-man’ – but it is not just India who flourishes in this album, it is certainly one of polycephaly, you can see a collective of minds have come under one body, giving each the stage to make their own movements. Just listen to Romy Wymer on Monologue II or the band’s wind performance on Night Woman. Having the ability to phase through old-school secluded back-of-bar freestyles with synth, this album is one you can listen to from many perspectives and have a completely refreshing journey each time.
With this extraordinary summer debut ‘In Phases’ have secured that Azamiahs time is now. The authenticity showed through the meeting of minds and a harmonious fusion of genres has my finger firmly on the replay button. A project of boundless creativity that emerges when musical spirits intertwine.
