jas kayser: jas 5ive
Francisco Espregueira
More than any other label/collective, we owe to Jazz Re:freshed output the introduction of several artists who have pushed the boundaries of the contemporary jazz music. It has been more than ten years releasing records by the likes of Nubya Garcia, Daniel Casimir, Ashley Henry, Richard Spaven, among others, which make the London label one of the most influential on European soil. New to stores, Jas 5ive unveils Jas Kayser's long-awaited debut album in Jazz Re:freshed's iconic 5ive series, following the footsteps of important names such as those mentioned above.
Jas Kayser is a 24-year-old Berklee-trained drummer and songwriter who, in 2021, won the prestigious Jazz FM's Breakthrough Act. Expectations for her first work have grown over the last year and the smooth Jas 5ive ends up exceeding them with meditative arrangements, refined fusions of jazz and afrobeat and a well-crafted production that makes every element shine. Jas 5ive offers a candid, vocal reflection on themes of identity and self-discovery, as well as navigating deep into personal questions ranging from Jas' childhood to the multicultural environment in which she finds herself. Joining the invaluable collection of contemporary jazz released by Jazz Re:freshed, Jas Kayser leads a group of superb musicians across five tracks that deserve attention. Available on vinyl.