Jazz Is Dead ; Vol. 22 (2025)

"The album comes to life with the palpitating organ line of "Get Up", signaling for the band—a blend of Ghanaian and American players, including Younge and Muhammad—to build a thick, lush suite; trumpets and trombones hit you from one side, flutes from the other. "Obra Akyedzi" features a rhythmic rush of percussion, waka-waka electric guitars, and freewheeling brass. It all clicks together marvellously, opening a portal that sees clear through to the shores of 1970s Accra. Taylor’s voice is deeper and more guttural than it once was, yet still capable of immense power—his crooning on the snaking, spiritual "Nsa A W’oanye Edwuma, Ondzidzi" is remarkably resolute. There’s true showmanship to the way he elongates the notes on the peppy "Obi Do Woa" (If Someone Loves You), his voice inspiring chanted backing vocals and punctuated by tidy drum rolls. In such moments, there is no mistaking that Taylor is the one leading the band." (Pitchfork; waardering 7.2)