Zo! & Tall Black Guy
Expansions
Foreign Exchange Music
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Neo-classical strings meld with children’s laughter and leap into flight around a man’s homiletic voice. “Stretch your soul! Well, ain’t that the goal?” he says as he invites all to vibrate higher. “To grow, to rewrite the code, to become greater than the latest version of yourself?” This thesis statement encapsulates Expansions, the latest offering from Lorenzo Ferguson and Terrel Wallace, better known as Zo! & Tall Black Guy.
Separately, the two producer-musicians had already garnered their own buzz, momentum, and renown. When they came together for their adventurous first collaboration Abstractions (2021) though, the pairing was near-cosmic. Their energy summoned a host of indie soulsters like Sy Smith, BeMyFiasco, Darien Brockington, Debórah Bond, and DJ Dez, many from the universe of The Foreign Exchange.
Like its predecessor, Expansions summons those cohorts and more; this time, the guest list virtually doubles, as does the pleasure of the listen. Expansions is a filling synthesis of soul, house, hip-hop, jazz, rock, and Afro-Latin rhythms made cohesive through a unique musical kinship.
The aforementioned sky-brightening introduction—“A Beauty Dance (Stretch Your Soul)” featuring GRAMMY-winning poet J. Ivy—is not what I expected from Zo! & Tall Black Guy. What I did expect was the funk meteor that fell out of the sky next: their killer lead single “Keep Him Satisfied” featuring the versatile Sy Smith.
Co-produced by 14KT, this sizzling cut sets expectations high. Pour batter into a waffle iron, sprinkle obscene amounts of DJ Quik, Rick James, and Mary Jane Girls, cook ‘til brown on both sides, and serve hot. When Zo! & Tall Black Guy collaborated with Smith on Until We Meet Again (2024), the aesthetic was jazzy, introspective, and delicate (they revisit that vibe exquisitely on her sublime second feature “Skies”). But as she joins them here, the aim is unapologetic, sweat-thru-your-clothes funk straight from George Clinton’s mothership. To quote Smith, “Call me Stefani, ‘cause there ain’t No Doubt.”
The next track heightens the sensuality. “Cut off all my circulation,” Bianca “BeMyFiasco” Rodriguez intones, “‘cause this dress is painted on.” As the curious rhythm of “Catastrophe” shimmies its way through the underbrush, BeMyFiasco details how sex appeal can hide insecurity in plain sight. Her tart delivery is so entrancing (“Gimme ‘bout 30 more seconds / inner-me tryna get reckless”), she could do crime in broad daylight and remain a free woman.
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Now, God only knows how Debórah Bond found time to record her clear-headed soul opus Naomi’s Finest (2025), because she spent nearly every waking moment on tour with Zo! & Tall Black Guy the last couple years. She and her expressive voice come to the aid of her gentlemen again here. She stokes the Glasper-esque sensual climber “Slow Stories” until it reaches a Prince-like climax with guitar assassin Jairus Mozee setting fire to the vamp. Then she pairs sweetly with soulful UK newcomer Gareth Donkin for the easy R&B of “Make or Break.” The latter was co-produced by featured drummer Nate Smith, who just picked up his first two GRAMMYs a couple weeks ago. Notice how Expansions casually folds in top-notch musicianship at every turn?
The generosity continues with more familiar faces on “High on Your Love.” First, Brockington lends the suede of his alto on lead. Then a verse from rapper Ozay Moore reunites him with Tall Black Guy for the first time since their joint project Of Process and Progression (2021). If that’s not enough, hip-hop dignitary DJ Jazzy Jeff comes in with his freshest, cleanest scratching. And if you listen real hard, you might hear the ghost of Sly Stone echo through the scenario.
Apart from the more known names, Expansions might just introduce you to your favorite new voice. Micki Miller’s layered new-school intentionality shows through “Waiting to Call.” Brittney Carter and Lyric Jones show off rap-sung versatility on “Quiet.” Underground sweetheart Raquel Rodriguez holds her own next to Dilla-tested rhymeslinger Phat Kat on the light funk of “I’m Good.” If you’re not yet familiar with Nicholas Ryan Gant, his silky gospel tenor closes out the album on a high note with the extended housey indulgence “Find My Way Back.”
With all these voices, another compilation might have sounded like a disjointed mixtape, but Zo! & Tall Black Guy’s dialed-in sound is the force that holds everything together. As with Abstractions, Expansions is peppered with luxurious interludes that bridge the continuum of sounds smoothly, often employing the adept stringwork of Pirahnahead as on that beautiful album intro.
Rich with snappy drums, meaty basslines, and first-class arrangements, Expansions is a veritable playground of sound. In total, it feels like the work of a seamless supergroup certain to get you interested in the solo work of each individual member. These two kindred musicians have a special synergy that raises the vibration whenever they get together. Let yourself listen, and know your ears are in good hands.
Notable Tracks: “Catastrophe” | “Keep Him Satisfied” | “Make or Break” | “Skies”
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