Dahab Days Rob Luft

• 1 Be Water, My Friend 04:57
• 2 Dahab Days 05:49
• 3 Daylight Saving Time 07:28
• 4 Dreamworld 01:53
• 5 Bliss Out 03:29
• 6 Flim 05:10
• 7 African Flower 05:18
• 8 Sunshine Music 03:17
• 9 Endless Summer 07:02
• 10 Lamma Bada Yatathanna 07:43
• Total Runtime 52:06

Info for Dahab Days

Returning for his third album on Edition Records, 'Dahab Days' demonstrates the British guitarist's signature sound with fresh and lyrical new music. Featuring long-time collaborators Alice Zawadzki, Byron Wallen and Steve Buckley, the new record pushes the envelope and establishes Rob as one of the key members of the UK's thriving jazz scene.

"Dahab Days" is the highly anticipated third album from acclaimed British guitarist Rob Luft, who has witnessed remarkable growth in Europe in recent years, notably as a BBC New Generation Artist and through collaborations with Elina Duni. Luft's debut album, "Riser," released in 2017, made a lasting impact, showcasing his exceptional talent and distinctive musical voice. Building on the success of "Riser," his second album, "Life is the Dancer," further solidified his reputation as a versatile guitarist and composer.

With "Dahab Days," Luft embarks on another significant stride in his artistic journey. This album represents a notable expansion of his sound, incorporating a string quartet and reinforcing the contributions of his talented band members, who have become an integral part of his musical identity. Luft's well-deserved reputation as a versatile guitarist shines through as he delivers uplifting improvisations that evolve in hypnotic and contemporary ways, captivating listeners with their compelling and immersive qualities.

The album derives its name from Dahab, a location in Egypt where much of the music was written. Over the past three years, Luft has spent considerable time there due to the Covid-19 pandemic's limitations. While not overtly drawing from the music of the region, "Dahab Days" subtly reflects the influence of his experiences in that unique setting.

Featuring an exceptional lineup, "Dahab Days" includes Rob Luft on electric and acoustic guitars, as well as the kalimba, alongside Joe Wright on tenor saxophone, Joe Webb on piano and Hammond organ, Tom McCredie on bass guitar, and Corrie Dick on drum kit and percussion. The album also boasts special guest performances by Alice Zawadzki on vocals and violin, Byron Wallen on trumpet, and Steve Buckley on alto saxophone and penny whistle.

"Dahab Days" marks a significant milestone in Rob Luft's musical journey, showcasing his artistic growth and his ability to craft captivating and contemporary compositions that resonate with audiences.

"The whole album is a delight and, if a reservation is to be made, it is only that the slightly different feels of the first and second halves do not work to its overall advantage. Luft's blend has yet to be fully integrated and signed off. There is no doubt that he will get there." (AllAboutJazz)

Rob Luft, guitar
Joe Wright, tenor saxophone
Joe Webb, piano
Tom McCredie, double bass
Corrie Dick, drums
Alice Zawadzki, vocals, violin (track 1, 5, 9)
Byron Wallen, trumpet (tracks 5, 10)
Steve Buckley, alto saxophone, penny whistle (tracks 5, 8)
Amika String Quartet (tracks 2, 4, 6, 9)

Rob Luft
is an award-winning 23-year-old musician from London, and has been described as one of the UK’s most prominent and talented young contemporary jazz guitarists. Praised by The Times ‘to achieve great things in the future’, Rob was the recipient of the 2016 Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize in association with Edition Records, and he also received the 2nd Prize in The 2016 Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition.

Having joined NYJO (The National Youth Jazz Orchestra of GB) at the age of 15, Rob then went on to study on the jazz programme at the Royal Academy of Music. Concert highlights include performances with artists including Django Bates & Loose Tubes, Eddie Parker’s “Mister Vertigo”, Iain Ballamy, Gregory Porter, Laura Jurd’s “Dinosaur”, Tommy Smith’s Scottish National Jazz Orchestra (SNJO) & The Hamish Stuart Band.

Rob is a regular member of some of London’s finest modern jazz groups, such as Byron Wallen’s “Four Corners”, Martin Speake’s “Mafarowi”, and Enzo Zirilli’s “Zirobop”. He appears on Liane Carroll’s latest release on Linn Records (‘Seaside’ – 2015), Brazilian singer Luna Cohen’s new album on the Catalonian independent label Temps Record (‘November Sky’ – 2016), & the debut album from Enzo Zirilli on Milanese label UR Records (‘Zirobop’ – 2015). In 2015 he was the recipient of the Peter Whittingham Award as part of two collective ensembles – Patchwork Jazz Orchestra and jazz-rock quartet Big Bad Wolf.

“A Great Improvising Guitarist” – Evan Parker

“Obvious Star Quality” – Jazzwise Magazine

“Fine Soloist” – The Evening Standard

“Sometimes you can big someone up too soon, but Rob Luft’s guitar is straining at the leash to get heard more widely.” – Andy Robson, Jazzwise Magazine

This album contains no booklet.