UK afro-jazz fusion outfit TC & The Groove Family are releasing We Have Each Other on 7 June. It is a fiery new EP that builds on the heady brew of influences that went into their debut album, First Home. This time, with more prominence given to their electronic influences, this ten-piece cross-cultural vibe machine is going from strength to strength. Interview with drummer /bandleader Tim Cook by Andrew Taylor-Dawson.
I was interested to sit down with Tim Cook to find out more about their EP, the refining of their sound, the joy of touring and what the future might hold for the ambitious band. Among their number, they count several musicians possibly familiar from other projects, such as creative turntablist and electronic artist NikNAK, trumpeter Grifton Forbes-Amos and their former collaborator, now de-facto frontman MC Franz Von.
Meeting in Leeds, via studying music and playing on the fertile scene within the city, the band grew and developed in an organic way. “We were all playing in different collectives and just came together to jam,” says Tim.
“We’re one big family and everyone brings something to the table. I saw NikNak DJing and it was honestly the best DJ set I’d ever seen. I then asked if she wanted to jam”. ‘Family’ and ‘collective’ are words that are peppered throughout our conversation. It’s clear that community, solidarity and collaboration are the fuel that fires this highly creative and funky outfit.
With ten members including sax, trumpet and trombone players, two guitarists, turntables and electronics alongside a percussionist, bassist and Tim’s own drums, there is a huge range of elements for them to use when creating their musical stew. “It’s like cooking,” Tim tells me with a smile on his face. “Beth might come with a bass line or Nath an African-influenced guitar line. These are our ingredients. Our basil and oregano.”
Alongside the creative brains of their ten members, they also bring in collaborators – in a sense extended members of the Groove Family. This time around, Nubiyan Twist member Aziza Jaye puts in a stunning turn on the afro-meets-dancehall number Blessed, while rapper SANITY joins for the jungle-inflected closer Wile Out.
On We Have Each Other, The Groove Family serves up a headier, slightly darker iteration of their sound. It still has the joy and collective spirit of their debut album but taken in a new direction. “We wanted this to be more of a studio project. First Home had a very live sound. This time, we wanted to really celebrate electronic music that we love”.
The influences Tim talks about are present throughout the five tracks, with elements of grime, hip-hop and a range of break beats intertwining naturally with jazz, afrobeat and other influences. What really tops it off is the wordplay of Franz Von. “He’s right at the heart of our sound. We couldn’t do the live show as it is without him,” asserts Tim.
Alongside the new EP, the band has been touring the UK. It was clearly a big thing for them to draw 300 people to the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds – the city the band most associates with despite now being scattered across the UK. Playing Camden’s Jazz Café is also a big moment for them.
There’s clearly huge ambition within the band, with aims to tour Europe and hopes to take their funky grooves further afield, potentially to some of the countries whose sonic palettes have influenced their sound. But for now, they’re enjoying being exactly where they are. “Making music with the band helps me be present,” Tim explains. “It’s a real pleasure working with all of them. Now I want to appreciate everything that’s happening and enjoy sharing it with people.”
There’s something resoundingly positive about both the band and the way Tim conveys what they do. The music has a righteousness to it and is driven by a social conscience, but this is served up with party vibes and clever blends of grooves and ideas inspired by multiple traditions. It’s hard not to be taken in by the ethos and sound of this fantastic collective and enjoy what they’re doing right here and right now.
