With the Abbey Road collaborative series Lock-In, wherein artists get together in the iconic studio to experiment all in the space of a day. Their latest episode featured Grammy-nominated vocalist/producer Jordan Rakei and London-based jazz artist Nubya Garcia. It truly is special; one day to see where instruments and creativity lead them. A project that breeds such diversified art, which perhaps wouldn't have come about if it were born under different circumstances. 

But it isn’t just the artists participating; they also have a music crew helping bring their ideas to life and contributing to a smooth jazz bedrock for Rakei and Garcia to bounce off. It’s clear in the production that this track is a product of inspiration and improvisation. It bears traditional jazz roots, allowing the instruments to take centre stage, leading the way. Opening up with the honied saxophone, you’re instantly transported to somewhere like Ronnie Scott’s, sipping on a glass of red wine. So much space is left for the saxophone to just play before other instruments join. Allowing a moment to feel the music, anticipating what's to come.

When the drum pattern joins, played beautifully by Sam Jones, you can almost feel the love these artists have for what they do. Percussion picks up along with Rakei’s vocals, bursting with sweet notes every jazz lover can’t help but sway to. The bass playfully moving like a moody, dark horse acts as that cherry on top of the cake. When the production builds to Garcia on the saxophone, showcasing such convoluted talent, it knocks the wind out of you.

‘Monsters’ reminds us how gratifying it can be to have all creatives physically in the room playing around. Ideas bounce off one another; their love for their craft is tangible. Operating under time constraints often leaves no time to think and more time to act, resulting in intuitive performance that feels warmingly authentic.

Jessica Sansoa

@jessicasansoa

Image: 'Monsters' Official Single Cover