Dance, No One's Watching


Dance, No One's Watching is the third studio album by London jazz quintet Ezra Collective, released on 27 September 2024 by Partisan Records. It was preceded by two singles.

Background and release

Dance, No One's Watching is the band's follow-up to their Mercury Prize-winning 2022 album Where I'm Meant to Be.
The album's first single, "Ajala", was released on 24 April 2024. The song was recorded in Lagos in October 2023. It was named after Nigerian writer Olabisi Ajala, as well as being a reference to a Nigerian slang term for someone who can't sit still.
The album was announced on 18 June for a release date of 27 September by Partisan Records. With the announcement came the second single, "God Gave Me Feet for Dancing", featuring vocals from Yazmin Lacey and coming with a music video directed by Tajana Tokyo. Drummer Femi Koleoso talked about the importance of dance in his and his bandmates' lives, and said the song is "meant to look at dancing in a more spiritual capacity, like it's our God-given ability to shake away the badness of life and dance instead."

Live

Along with the album, the band announced a tour of Europe from July through November. The tour culminated with a headlining concert at Wembley Arena on November 15, the first time a British jazz act headlined at the venue.

Reception

"Ajala" was nominated for Best Independent Track at the 2024 AIM Independent Music Awards, but lost to Sampha's "Spirit 2.0". Dance, No One's Watching was ranked 33rd on Mojos Best Albums of 2024 list.

Personnel

Ezra Collective

Additional musicians

Technical