LONDON-BASED ARTIST TAYLOR GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES NEW EP ‘THE DREAM DANCER’ 9th SEP ‘26
A genre-blurring journey through modern dance music, jazz and soul, co-piloted by legendary producer Nathan Haines.
Following his standout 2024 debut In Green, the now London-based drummer and artist Taylor Griffin returns with The Dream Dancer, a deeply personal 5-track EP documenting a period of major transition, creative growth, and relocation. With two singles released, the stage is now set for EP to drop on 9 SEP, with the second single ‘Pranzo feat Arjuna Oakes’ being selected for playlists including New Music Friday UK from Spotify, as well as already having numerous radio features making waves around the world from Soho Radio in London to the EVR jazz show in New York.
Written and tracked between the bustling creative hubs of London and the landscapes of Aotearoa (New Zealand), The Dream Dancer showcases an artist quietly expanding his sonic palette. While the record finds Griffin settling into the groove of a new city, it remains tightly locked into his musical roots, seamlessly blending live instrumentation with modern electronic energy.
At the core of the project is a rock-solid collaboration with legendary producer, mixdown engineer, and saxophonist Nathan Haines, who served as the EP's central creative guide. Together, they fostered a fluid studio chemistry that bridges generations and hemispheres, recorded across London’s iconic Lightship95 and Ten87 studios, and Haines’ own Zoot Music in Aotearoa.
"Ultimately, The Dream Dancer is a smooth, honest look at creative growth from an artist simply focused on the craft."
THE EP HOSTS AN INCREDIBLE LINEUP OF CUTTING-EDGE TALENT AND LEGENDARY VOICES:
Marlena Shaw: The late, legendary vocalist grounds the EP's opening track with a timeless, archival spoken-word piece (RNZ 2006). Arjuna Oakes & Sam Allen: Delivering soaring, soulful vocal features that explore themes of presence, desire, and letting the music take control. Joe Kaptein & Ben Stewart: Providing lush, intricate keys.Rudi Creswick: Locking down the low end on bass. Neil Baldock & Jason 'A Sides' Cambridge: Bringing world-class polish on drum mixing and mastering, respectively.
A JOURNEY THROUGH DREAMS
Intrinsically (feat. Nathan Haines): A poignant opener grounded by the classic voice of Marlena Shaw, reminding us that life is defined by "what you've done intrinsically".
Seventh Life (feat. Nathan Haines and Ben Stewart): A dynamic, lyric-less exploration of pure instrumentation and groove.
Pranzo (feat. Arjuna Oakes): A sweeping and gritty jazz-soul piece tracking the transition from uncertainty to confidence ("I get younger with age, call out to desire / And take a bow").
Here and Now (feat. Sam Allen): The ultimate feel-good anthem of the tracklist. A reminder to breathe deeper, push past fear, and "Letting the music take control."
Wait Here (feat. Arjuna Oakes): A hauntingly beautiful, minimalist closer that captures the tension of waiting “for a glimpse of the future”.
‘The Dream Dancer’ will be available on all major streaming platforms, and on solid red 12’’ vinyl.