XJAZZ! Weekender Day 2 with Moses Yoofee Trio at Festsaal Kreuzberg Berlin

Indeed, these days the threesome seldom have the opportunity to socialise, gathering instead as and when schedules permit. Moses, like Roman, is often busy with chart-topping Berlin-based Peter Fox, a frontman for reggae/dancehall/hip hop crossover act SEEED, whom they’ve accompanied on extensive solo tours, while Noah plays with another renowned artist, German-American rapper Casper, as well as Sweden’s acclaimed Petter Eldh and German comedian/actor / musician Teddy Teclebrhan. “We need to pay our bills,” the trio admits, “but we set priorities to push this project as far as we can. Respect and communication are key to keeping us together, and we’ve learned to trust each other more.” This is helpful when the band’s musical inclinations are so diverse. “We’re very different,” they say, “but when it comes to instrumental music, somehow we always find common ground.” Citing Immanuel Wilkins’s The 7th Hand as one such example – although “musically it’s not really what we’re trying to do, or actually can do” – they also allude to Robert Glasper as a key inspiration, if mainly for the sound of his recordings. “What’s happening in pop has also been interesting,” they add, “with so many good Afrobeats artists like ‘Tems’, or the likes of Pink Panthress bringing interesting vibes back to melodies and songwriting. We’re interested in a lot of artists and genres, which results in our unique way of making music, but inventing something new isn’t our main ambition. What’s important are true emotions.”