Long before Sam Smith and Jess Glynne got their start as collaborators with the likes of Disclosure and Rudimental, Jamaican soul singer Mozez was helping influential soothing club duo Zero 7 to tell their story with an unhurried simplicity.

 

Across two albums at the turn of the ‘00s, it was Mozez’s graceful voice that shone alongside the then-unknown Sia and Sophie Barker in Zero 7’s compelling comedown music. Blessed with a skyscraping voice, while knowing when to keep his vocals unadorned, you’d have bet on Mozez becoming as successful as Sia, especially when his debut solo album, 2006’s haunting So Still, won rave reviews. Since then, other than touring as the singer for long-time friend Nightmares On Wax, Mozez has been silent. 

 

Until now. Nine years on, and the perfectionist singer/writer/producer is ready to emerge with Wings, an album that’s definitely worth waiting for. If its lyrics tell of a man at the crossroads, unsure which path to take in life, there’s a certainty to the music across its lush, beautiful landscape. Not a note is wasted, and you won’t hear 12 songs that are better sung all year. Mozez, it’s clear, is a man who knows the true meaning of song.