The album is also packed full with illustrious guest appearances: regular collaborator Cherise features on the brilliant Tittle Tattle, calling out gossip through acerbic nursery rhyming, the loping Flow dealing with the ebb and flow of anxiety and the epic Brazilian jazz workout, Keeper; UK jazz saxman Soweto Kinch brings a burning alto solo and rhymes to the determined Buckle Up alongside the band’s own vocalist Nick Richards as the track aims to “find the door to peace” among life’s challenges. “ Soweto is a trailblazer of the UK scene both as an alto player and as a rapper with a unique flow and important lyricism,” reflects Tom Excell. “It was really important for us to invite him to contribute to the album.” Richards continues the “dust yourself off and find hope” theme on the rousing Wipe Away Tears; Ghanaian great Pat Thomas voices a gorgeous Accra meets London highlife jam; massive new vocal talent Ria Moran (a contemporary from the band’s time at Leeds College Of Music) steps up on the sensual Morning Light tackling delicate complexities of the heart and long time friend of the band, KOG, brings his trademark full strength Afro dancefloor energy.
Shaping up to be a modern classic and a priority for Strut in 2021, Freedom Fables is set to catapult Nubiyan Twist even further into the limelight and cement their position as one of the UK’s leading soulful collectives of the current generation. The album was produced by Tom Excell at Henwood Studios in Oxfordshire and mixed by Oli Barton Wood and Tom Excell at The Premises. Artwork comes courtesy of Emma Rodriguez aka Mooncrab.