Moses Boyd // Dark Matter

Exodus Records

4.25 stars out of 5

As the listener gets pulled in and lulled by spacious cymbal tinkling and Nubya Garcia's contemplative and expressive tenor saxophone melody, they assume to know what they're in for. It's when the bass drops about a minute-and-a-half into the opening track "Stranger Than Fiction '' when you know you're privy to something special. Seamlessly blending Nu Jazz with hip hop and EDM, drummer Moses Boyd's debut album Dark Matter is just the vision the beguiling genre needs today. Perfect for fans of Thundercat, The Comet Is Coming, or Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly, Boyd has crafted a truly remarkable personal statement for his initial offering. Employing guests like vocalist — and Obama favorite — Poppy Ajudha ("Shades of You"), Nigerian-born spoken word artist Obongjayar ("Dancing in the Dark), and South African vocalist Nonku Phiri ("Nonmos Descent"), Boyd breaks up the standard instrumental numbers with a more pop-friendly bravado — relatively, of course. The free, exploratory nature of Boyd's instrumentals (like the afrobeat genius of highlight "BTB") hints at the artist's true strength, cementing his as an exciting new name in the world of jazz.

 — Nick Warren