Emma-Jean Thackray, an outstanding figure in the UK jazz scene, releases Um Yang, her long-dreamed project dedicated to the Taoist philosophy of duality and harmony. A highly ambitious and personal record that sees Thackray leading a septet featuring Soweto Kinch and Steam Down's Wonky Logic, recorded straight to vinyl. An accomplished trumpeter, beat-maker, singer, composer and DJ, Thackray draws on far wider influences than jazz. Her sound is distinctive; in the words of The Guardian like 'Bitches Brewera Miles entering the dub chamber with a New Orleans marching band - in a good way'. Since debuting in 2016, Thackray has directed the London Symphony Orchestra, performed at the NY Winter Jazz Fest, played Glastonbury five times in 2019 alone, and launched her own record label, Movementt (in association with Warp). Championed by Gilles Peterson, Theo Parrish and Jamie Cullum, Thackray has firmly cemented her place among a new wave of exciting young musicians, collaborating with Makaya McCraven, Junius Paul and Angel Bat Dawid, and still finds time to host her monthly radio show on Worldwide FM. Raised in Yorkshire, Thackray inherited a grounding in Taoism from her father, and approaches her music with the same pursuit of harmony between Um & Yang (the Korean Ying & Yang), balancing melody and rhythm, groove and free improvisation, cerebral and physical. For this one-off recording, Thackray has applied this ideology in every sense, even down to the ensemble itself featuring not one but two percussionists. Um commences with ethereal interplay between keys, percussion, and Thackray's trumpet, recalling the spiritual jazz of Alice Coltrane's classic records. As the piece builds, an earthy groove emerges. On both trumpet and vocals, Thackray leads the ensemble further out until the piece peaks with an epic breakdown. On the flip, Yang starts on the same cacophonous note but progresses to a joyful groove before returning to a peaceful state again, balance restored. When Night Dreamer Records invited Emma to record Um Yang straight-to-disc at Artone's vintage recording studio in Haarlem, Holland, Emma was excited by the idea of capturing this specific project in one-take, without overdubs or edits. 'Recording in (Artone) was such a dream' Thackray recalls. 'It had all the fantasy analogue equipment you daydream about one day being able to use. The desk looked like something Uhura would use. All the instruments were natural, woods and metals, no plastic in sight, and everything was to be hit or blown, all analogue. I really needed everything to be natural and real, because the music is about the universe, about the energy of all things, and what is more real than that.' Honest sound to match truly honest music. With Um Yang, Emma-Jean Thackray has created her most personal and defining work to date. PERSONNEL: Emma-Jean Thackray - Trumpet, Voice, Percussion Soweto Kinch - Saxophones Lyle Barton - Rhodes Ben Kelly - Sousaphone Dwayne Kilvington - Percussion Crispin Robinson - Congas Dougal Taylor - Drums
Release date:
September 4, 2020
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Technics SL-1500C Turntable
Features a direct-drive motor, a high-precision tonearm, and a premium MM cartridge, delivering exceptional sound quality
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
The Lemonheads Love Chant
Fire Records
October 24, 2025 -
Bon Jovi Forever (Legendary Edition) [2xLP]
Island
October 24, 2025 -
Sanguisugabogg Hideous Aftermath
Century Media
October 10, 2025 -
Neko Case Neo Grey Midnight Green
Anti
September 26, 2025 -
Moving Mountains Pruning of the Lower Limbs (Atlantic Blue) [2xLP]
Wax Bodega
October 17, 2025 -
Austra Chin Up Buttercup
Domino Record Co
November 14, 2025 -
Acopia Blush Response
Scenic Route Records
September 19, 2025 -
Sparks Madder!
Transgressive
October 3, 2025 -
Rick Wakeman Melancholia
Madfish
October 17, 2025 -
Prince And The Revolution Around The World In A Day (Deluxe) [3xLP]
Legacy Recordings
November 21, 2025 -
Say She She Cut & Rewind (Red)
Drink Sum Wtr
October 3, 2025 -
Tombs Feral Darkness
Redefining Darkness
October 24, 2025 -
Greywind Severed Heart City
Frontiers New Recordings Physical Only
September 19, 2025 -
Lady A On This Winter's Night: Volume 2
Bmlg Records
September 26, 2025