Ezra Collective Continue The Dance At 02 Apollo, Manchester [live show]

The definition of Magic is….

The power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.

"suddenly, as if by magic, the doors start to open"

The definition of Joy…

a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

"tears of joy"

These two words are interchangeable when you’re at a Ezra Collective show. The doors to the 02 Apollo in Manchester were opened and when it was time to close them, no one would of made the mistake of claiming that joy wasn’t in attendance of the room.

Rather its invite was accepted. Dub and the rhythmic trance of a reggae bassline were pushed into the cold November night warming it up to a boiling point before the explosion.

But before we get to that what stands out about this night is the variety. There are couples on their first date maybe, parents who want to impart the wisdom and enlightenment of jazz on their children.

Even the lone solitary figure of a man, clutching his newly brought vinyl bopping his head to the raga enthusiastically but still we cannot see what is stirring on the stage.

Until the stage goes black for a second time. And popping out of a side door. You hear before you see Trumper Ife Ogunjobi erupt from the right-hand side blaring out notes. It’s a delightful trick and a slight of hand.

Soon the rest of the band: keyboard-player Joe Armon-Jones, bassist TJ Koleoso, drummer and band leader Femi Koleoso and saxophonist James Mollison explode onto the stage with a thunderous approach that leaves your ears ringing. Femi calls out, “Who’s ready to dance with Ezra Collective tonight?”

Throughout the night what stands out is how much fun the band are having. The collective are in a constant state of movement, drifting both physically and musically into pockets of space, playfully jostling each other along to the appreciation of the crowd. Impromptu solos are not strangers as each member makes space for the other.

The Apollo, both it’s ground and the balcony become a dance floor. Strangers become friends momentary at the urging of the band. Hands are shook, names are exchanged.

Ezra performs tracks off of not just their latest album Dance, No One Is Watching, but also the critically acclaimed What I’m Meant To Be. Before performing ‘JOY (Life Goes On’. Femi says: “It’s very special to be back here in Manchester and there’s nothing more beautiful than feeling like you’re being on a certain journey with a place and that’s what we have here."

Amongst the Jazz, they play renditions of their favourite artists to the pleasure of the crowd. Bobby Cladwell ‘Open Your Eyes’, Angie Stone ‘I Wish I didn’t Miss You’ and Damien Marley ‘Jamrock’ demonstrates the wide range of music that they band enjoy.

They revisit the past with ‘No Confusion’ the track featuring East London rapper Kojey Radical. After Children of Zeus their support act, came back out to perform with the band to the applause of their home crowd.

At the end of the night the top of the Mountain is reached. It takes a bit of magic, and what’s found at the top is joy.

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