Photo: Saima Khalid

Extraordinary keyboard player and pianist Charlie Stacey is no stranger to the UK jazz scene. Known for his work with Yussef Dayes, Stacey has also played and collaborated with artists such as Moses Boyd and The Ezra Collective. Today sees the release of his first solo project under his own name, The Light Beyond Time.  A direct-to-disc recording for Night Dreamer Records, the effort explores the outer margins of jazz, funk and Afro-Cuban influences through composition and improvisation.

To bring The Light Beyond Time to life, Stacey enlisted his regular band comprising Oscar Ogden (drums), Tom Driessler (bass) and Jay Phelps (trumpet), and it also features guest contributions from vocalist Vula Malinga and Holland based Senegalese percussionist Mamour Seck.

“The chance to record in the way that Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and many of my heroes recorded was really appealing,” Stacey said about the recording process.  He continues, “the fact we only spent one-and-a-half days recording actually made it more fun, as it meant we played in a more intense, focused way.

I liked the idea of the spontaneity of creating something with one opportunity only to get it right. I also liked the idea of non-judgement that leaving stuff intact lends itself to. Whatever we played on the day is what we ended up using and therefore is neither right nor wrong, it just is.”

For a thrilling taste of what’s on offer, listen to the closing track ‘Mamour’s Tune’ below.