Ni Maxine’s four-track EP is the perfect introduction to Neo-Jazz. The Liverpool-based artist has created a sound rooted firmly in jazz tradition, with brushed drums, walking bass, and warm piano voicings. The instrumentation feels rich and unhurried, with rhythms that shift dynamically as each track develops.
Maxine’s work effortlessly respects jazz tradition, while also pushing the genre’s boundaries. Guided by her vocals, which understand both the power of restraint and the impact of rhythmic innovation, Maxine creates rhythms mostly heard in hip-hop and RnB.
It’s clear her hip-hop influence is woven into her work. In particular the track Time makes use of vocal rhythm, where phrasing, breath control, and cadence become percussive tools in their own right. Throughout, Maxine’s voice remains the focal point, the traditional jazz arrangement is apparent and supports, but it’s Maxine who carries the rhythmic weight with her melodic phrasing and dynamic control.
For a debut EP, it feels remarkably assured. Ni Maxine doesn’t just experiment with genre fusion, she makes it seem natural and effortless. The result is a body of work that feels intimate yet expansive and above all, confident in its identity.
Mother’s Arms settles in slowly, enveloping the rhythm of Maxine’s voice. There’s something deeply soothing about its atmosphere; the track achieves an almost nurturing space without ever becoming sentimental.
The arrangement itself has a floaty, almost weightless quality, allowing the listener to drift within its textures. The instruments chosen are traditionally jazz and with the addition of backing vocals, Mother’s Arms creates a soft, easy listening experience that for me is the perfect introduction to Neo-Jazz.
The nurturing mood created in the track mostly comes from the warm, ever constant instrumentation in the track, with muted piano and drums, the overall timbre of the arrangement is very subdued. This helps to create an euphonious track that explores the themes of parenthood, responsibility and displacement.
The instrumentation conveys these themes in every corner of the track, with the traditional arrangement working to cement the listener into a classical, intimate experience that transports the listener to the small bars and lounges that priorly played the genre.
Not For Me leans confidently into its jazz foundations, with heavy jazz influence in the voicings and phrasing, however the tone itself feels slightly muted, almost lo-fi in texture, giving the track a warmth that feels intimate rather than polished. This softened timbre works beautifully against the rhythm section, creating a groove that feels relaxed yet quietly insistent.
The track builds up to the bridge, this creates a sense of anticipation, as if the track is holding back from fully letting loose. Then, when it finally does open up, it feels earned and effective, with the energy of a live jam session, spontaneous and alive, feeling controlled and sophisticated. This ‘drop’ maintains impactful on repeat listens, it doesn’t fatigue or feel predictable.
While scatting can often feel forced, here it’s handled with restraint and musicality, Maxine shapes it rhythmically, making it feel purposeful rather than performative. Her vocal range, which is fluid and controlled, allows her to move effortlessly between subtle phrasing and fuller, more expressive moments. It’s a track that balances technical skill with genuine feel.
Time carries a more sombre weight from the outset, making use of a constant rhythm which carries the momentum of the track forward. The bassline does much of the heavy lifting here, grounding the song while quietly steering it forward. The drops are restrained rather than explosive, but that subtlety works in the track’s favour. Nothing feels overproduced or forced; instead, each shift lands with quiet confidence.
The introduction of bongos is a welcome shift in texture and further adds to the quiet confidence the track emits. While bongos are found in most traditional jazz performances, here they add a more organic pulse that deepens the groove and distinguishes the track from the rest of the project. It’s a small detail that makes a noticeable difference.
Around the midway point, her voice takes centre stage. Here, with the almost acapella vocals, the strength of the production becomes clear. The mix is clean and balanced, allowing every nuance of Maxine’s tonality to shine through. There’s control in her delivery, which makes the emotional weight of the song even more effective.
Simply put, she can sing, and the production is smart enough to let that speak for itself. Rhythm once again plays a defining role in her vocal approach. As her voice interacts with the beat, the fusion of genres becomes especially apparent, with the drum patterns leaning toward hip-hop and R&B, the harmonic structure remains rooted in jazz.
Ni Maxine’s debut is a statement of intent — subtle, self-assured, and brimming with quiet confidence.
Stream Ni Maxine’s Mother’s Arms EP via all major streaming platforms now.
Follow @ni_maxine on Instagram for updates.
Ni Maxine plays 24 Kitchen Street on 24 April, with tickets available via nimaxine.com/live.
