NIJI - Somewhere In The Middle (EP)
Picture Credit: Larabelle
Having forged a career as one of the most in-demand keys players on the worldwide circuit, London-born, New York City - based NIJI (AKA Niji Adeleye) releases his storming EP ‘Somewhere In The Middle’’.
Following a recent high-profile stint as a member of Harry Styles’ touring band, as well as working with the likes of Gregory Porter, Moses Boyd, Benji Flow and Beverly Knight (not to mention his day job as resident organist at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks), NIJI now aims to sign, seal and push the envelope with his five-track offering, delving into his deep love of Jazz and his Nigerian roots, creating an engaging and absorbing sonic journey.
NIJI has been playing piano all his life, turning professional aged 14 after being spotted performing at school by his local community music service. He continued to study both classical and jazz, embracing local groups and big bands to enhance his experience, alongside playing at church every week. This led to his first commercial success, winning the Barking and Dagenham’s Rising Star Award in 2009. His 2015 album “Better Days Ahead” charted at no. 3 in the iTunes Jazz Charts, followed by 2017’s “Late Nights Early Mornings” (which also received iTunes Jazz Chart success alongside impressive press and a launch show at the iconic Oslo, Hackney). A tour accompanied the release, culminating in a prestigious Royal Albert Hall Elgar Room show in London.
Following on from his single ‘Sounds Of The City’ (which featured Moses Boyd), winter 2023 sees NIJI return with a highly anticipated EP, drawing influences from jazz, classical, hip hop, gospel and afrobeat (from his native Nigeria). Rooted in the duality of life, ‘Somewhere In The Middle’ is a deeply personal record, giving a glimpse into the perpetual motion of NIJI’s chosen path. The Tony Allen-esque drums of EP opener ‘Banjoko’ catapult the listener headfirst into the rich tones of the album, as ecstatic brass motifs populate the highlife features.
The track’s title means “Don’t ever leave me” or “Sit with me”. It reflects how I feel about my Nigerian culture, I hope it stays forever” NIJI explains. Taking a more reflective and easy-going approach, second cut ‘Maybe We Will’ explores the outer fringes of possibility, and the hope it contains, as pensive chords meet phased guitars and thoughtful trumpets. Scattered drums bring the EP’s title track ‘Somewhere In The Middle’ to life, full of driving energy juxtaposed with introspective instrumentation. Fourth track ‘Love Will Find A Way’ takes a minor-leaning detour, with NIJI delivering a powerful vocal performance, delivering a message of melancholic optimism on the fleeting nature of human affection. The record’s closer ‘Danni’ sees lament soaked guitar and piano patterns intertwine, punctuated by soaring woodwind sections and sparse percussion.
On the record, NIJI explains: ‘Somewhere in the Middle represents so many things for me personally. I’m born to Nigerian parents but raised in East London, there’s a duality of influences. I’m a middle child – I’ve always done my own thing and had a unique perspective as a middle child. I’m split between London and New York – two places I love. London shaped me growing up, New York is where I became an adult and truly myself, and settled in who I am. Lastly, although this is the start of my artistic career, I’ve had an amazing decade & a half working in music, it was the first job I ever had at 14 playing piano. Not to mention all the musical influences my heritage, London-life & music career has enabled me to have. Today, NIJI, is somewhere in the middle of all of this. Very present force but can’t be placed in a box. This EP represents that blend, somewhere in the middle.‘