Following the critically acclaimed Magnum Opus (2024), which earned The Banger Factory a nomination for Jazz Ensemble of the Year at the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, the collective led by charismatic trumpet player and composer Mark Kavuma (Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year 2025) now present their latest release: Back to the Beginning.

Founded by Kavuma in 2015, The Banger Factory has always been about one thing: bringing the people a good time. What began as a weekly Brixton residency has grown into a defining sound in UK jazz, powered by some of the scene’s most gifted and engaging musicians.

Back to the Beginning celebrates the ensemble’s 10-year journey. Each track is penned by a different member of the ensemble, weaving together individual voices into an unmistakable group sound. Recorded at Theo Erskine’s studio, a creative hub central to the Banger Factory evolution, the album is both a reflection and a declaration of discovery, connection and expression.

Highlights include title track Back to the Beginning (Kavuma) and Swag Me Baby (Zaitz) transporting listeners back to the iconic dance floor of The Prince of Wales, where the group honed their sound every Thursday night for nearly seven years.

Erskine’s Sah offers a lyrical exploration of love and romance, while Kavuma’s The Diamond shines as a tribute to new member Wilf Diamond. New compositions from Jack Thomas (Fugue State) and Jack Garside (Walkin’ in the Garside) showcase the ensemble’s evolving depth and direction.

Marking a decade of fearless music-making, Back to the Beginning is both a milestone and a celebration, presenting striking compositions and performances from some of London’s most captivating jazz musicians.