Umoja

Released in 2023 on Far Out Recordings, Umoja marks Nicola Conte's most explicit foray into the spiritual jazz tradition. Moving away from the acid jazz and bossa nova influences that defined his early career, Conte collaborated with a global cast of musicians to create an album centered on the Swahili concept of 'Unity.' The recording was captured using vintage analog equipment, resulting in a sonic profile that echoes the golden era of 1970s jazz-funk and modal jazz. Key contributors include Zara McFarlane and Bridgette Amofah, whose vocals provide the soul-stirring emotional core of the record. Critically, the album has been praised for its organic warmth and its ability to synthesize disparate influences - from Afrobeat to post-bop - into a cohesive, meditative whole. It stands as a mature statement in Conte's discography, prioritizing depth and cultural resonance over dancefloor utility.