TJ Koleoso Lays Down a Relentless Broken-Beat Groove on Ezra Collective’s “Black Flag”

Ezra Collective has shared a new Rehearsal Tapes session, and bassist TJ Koleoso is bringing the grooves.

The 15 minute performance features three songs from the band’s new album, Here Because of Hope: “Someday,” “El Corazón,” and “Black Flag.” The record explores the journey of Black music from Africa through the Caribbean and ultimately to London, and you can hear plenty of those influences throughout this session. “El Corazón” brings in a strong salsa flavor, while the band’s mix of jazz and Afrobeat is on full display throughout.

Koleoso is playing a five string Warwick through a Markbass 15 inch combo, locking in with his brother Femi Koleoso on drums. Joe Armon Jones is on keys, James Mollison is on saxophone, and Ife Ogunjobi is on trumpet.

The whole set is worth watching, but “Black Flag” really got me. TJ drives nearly the entire tune with a relentless broken beat bass groove.

If you dig bass driven jazz with some serious rhythmic depth, give this one a spin.