Yussef Dayes - The Light (Official Video)
Photo Credit: Danika Magdelena
Internationally revered artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist and composer Yussef Dayes returns with the deeply personal new single, “The Light”, taken from the highly anticipated, debut solo album ‘Black Classical Music’, set for release on the 8th of September via coveted labels Brownswood Recordings and Cashmere Thoughts. Dayes will be touring the album this coming winter, which includes a sold out headline performance at the coveted Royal Albert Hall.
“The Light” celebrates family and legacy, featuring various voice-note recordings from Yussef Dayes daughter, Bahia Dayes. The new track comes accompanied by a self-directed video from Dayes, containing footage from family archives, holidays and live-shows.
“‘The Light’ celebrates the birth of my daughter Bahia Dayes. Born in February 2020, just before the whirlwind of Covid, a beautiful light came into my life. 2020 turned out to be one of the most special times in my life. Becoming a father to my beautiful princess Bahia, being able to take time from touring and nurture my family at home was something I’ll cherish forever. ‘The Light’ is a Dayes lullaby song. The sweet harpsichord is a sound that Bahia was captivated by, although it was also a song she fell asleep too. An ode to Stevie Wonder’s ‘Isn’t she Lovely’ I wanted to add Bahia’s voice from footage & voice notes I’ve recorded over the last few years since her birth. Bahia introduces the song and shares her positive affirmations with her mum; something she can’t go to sleep without doing now. Thank you to Rocco Palladino on bass, Charlie Stacey on harpsichord and keys, Miles James on guitar and production, recorded by Christoph Skirl at Echo Zoo studios, Rory Cashmere on co-production & Russell Elevado on the beautiful mix. Love.” - Yussef Dayes
“Black Classical Music” is Dayes 19-track debut solo studio album. At every turn, Dayes distinctive drum licks and Rocco Palladino’s bass are the sturdy anchors; aided by Charlie Stacey (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone), Alexander Bourt (percussion), and a whole host of honourable features including: Chronixx, Masego, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Elijah Fox, Shabaka Hutchings, Miles James, Sheila Maurice Grey, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross and the Chineke! Orchestra, the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians. Centred around themes of family and generational legacy, the record is a journey of healing and spirituality. Dayes’ mother, father and daughter appear on the album, with recordings from his childhood home, a space built by his dad.