Xhosa Cole Quartet – Know Them, Know Us (2021 Stoney Lane Records UK Vinyl LP)

Released in 2021 on Stoney Lane Records, Know Them, Know Us is the debut from Xhosa Cole, one of the most striking new voices in UK jazz. The album plays like both a tribute and a statement, tracing a line from the language of hard bop into the conversation of modern British improvisation.

Cole’s tenor tone is full and fiery, steeped in Coltrane’s spirituality and the energy of London’s current scene. Backed by James Owston on double bass and James Bashford on drums, the quartet moves with instinct and warmth, stretching tradition without losing touch. Guest appearances from Soweto Kinch on alto sax, Reuben James on piano and Jay Phelps on trumpet bring extra colour and depth, each adding their own shade to Cole’s generous leadership.

The set list draws from jazz history while pushing forward. Zoltan opens with bold rhythmic phrasing, Blues Connotation digs deep into post-bop swing, and On a Misty Night finds the group flowing in lyrical unison. The record closes with What’s New, a quiet moment that shows Cole’s sensitivity and command.

This album captures the pulse of a scene coming into its own. Know Them, Know Us stands as both homage and renewal, a confident first statement from a tenor player reshaping the sound of contemporary British jazz.