• 2 lp VINYL EDITION

• 4 STARS DOWNBEAT

British trumpet and flugelhorn player Yazz Ahmed, who made a ton of “best of” lists with her 2017 album La Saboteuse, further establishes herself as one of the more creative new voices in jazz with Polyhymnia. She applies her buttery sound and firm command—think Kenny Wheeler—to a swirling mix of jazz, electronic music and Arabic scales. But this time she’s got a big band with a compositional palette and warm textures that recall Maria Schneider, and a powerful message, with each track dedicated to a female activist or collective.

PERSONNEL:

• Yazz Ahmed (trumpet, flugelhorn); Kaoss pad; Alex Ridout, Becca Toft , Chloë Abbott (trumpet); Noel Langley (trumpet, flugelhorn); Helena Kay, Camilla George (alto saxophone); Nubya Garcia (tenor saxophone); Gemma Moore, Josie Simmons (baritone saxophone); Tori Freestone (tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto flute); George Crowley (bass clarinet); Rosie Turton (trombone); Carol Jarvis (trombone, bass trombone); Alcyona Mick, Sarah Tandy, Naadia Sheriff (keyboards); Samuel Hällkvist, Shirley Tetteh (guitar); Ralph Wyld, glockenspiel (vibraphone); Johanna Burnheart (violin); Charlie Pyne (bass); Corrina Silvester (percussion); Sophie Alloway (drums); Sheila Maurice-Grey (vocals)

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1. Lahan Al-Mansour
• A2. "Ruby Bridges

• SIDE B
• B1. One Girl Among Many

• SIDE C
• C1. 2857
• C2. Deeds Not Words

• SIDE D
• D1. Barbara