Turn to Clear View by Joe Armon-Jones

The follow-up to Joe Armon-Jones’ 2018 debut full-length *Starting Today* once again captures the keyboardist’s melodic songcraft, sonic imagination, and beat-driven aesthetic. After expanding his creative reach with drummer/bandleader Makaya McCraven on *Where We Come From (Chicago x London Mixtape)*, Armon-Jones regroups with close London scene colleagues on *Turn to Clear View*, featuring guitarist Oscar Jerome, drummer Moses Boyd, trumpeter Dylan Jones, tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia, and others on a set full of rippling funk, inspired Wurlitzer harmony, and layered synth dreamscapes. Georgia Anne Muldrow’s voice on the gorgeous “Yellow Dandelion,” Jehst’s vocal/rap spot on “The Leo & Aquarius,” and Obongjayar’s flowing, laidback turn on the closing “Self:Love” round out a head-bopping, concise album.

Bass-heavy dub and contemporary club culture are the foundations for Joe Armon-Jones’ phenomenal second album. “Turn to Clear View” builds on the celebrated keys player’s singular vision, exhibiting a sound with flourishes of R&B, hip-hop and p-funk, and featuring regular bandmates Oscar Jerome, Moses Boyd and Nubya Garcia. He builds on his close-knit core personnel with guest spots from artists he’s long admired, including Georgia Anne Muldrow (Brainfeeder, Stones Throw), Obongjayar (XL) and Jehst. From character-fuelled raps to Afrobeat-influenced jams, Armon-Jones channels the diversity of the ascendant scene that surrounds him. Co-produced with longtime collaborator Maxwell Owin, the record has a carefully-plotted feel that reflects their meticulous approach. The duo carefully perfected every touch, with Armon-Jones ever-present throughout the mixing and mastering processes. Between his highly acclaimed solo career and his work with the influential Ezra Collective, Armon-Jones is building on a rush of acclaim – winning Session of the Year at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards and being nominated for UK Act of the Year at the Jazz FM Awards. His electric, open-ended live shows have brought him to Glastonbury, SXSW, Boiler Room and a sold-out headline show at London’s Village Underground.

5 ▲

The Ezra Collective keyboardist, a gifted pianist, pulls in contemporary London greats – including rapper Jehst – for this accomplished album

Turn to Clear View is the second Brownswood offering from Ezra Collective keyboard wizard and genre-blurring auteur Joe Armon-Jones.

8 / 10

UK Jazz is on fire at the moment. Binker and Moses, Outside Broadcast, Nerija, SEEDS Ensemble and Ebi Soda are all releasing their strongest material to

6 / 10

Joe Armon-Jones, a founder member of Ezra Collective, releases his second album Turn To Clear View featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow and Nubya Garcia.