Yussef Kamaal is the South London duo of drummer/percussionist Yussef Dayes and Kamaal Williams (Henry Wu) on Rhodes piano and synth. The former is best known for his work as kit man for cosmic Afrobeat ensemble United Vibrations. The latter is also a producer whose dubplates have garnered wide-ranging critical notice. Gilles Peterson signed them to Brownswood based on witnessing a 20-minute live set.
Black Classical Music, the first official solo release of the acclaimed UK drummer, Yussef Dayes. Across 19 tracks, it melds the spirit of everything from 70s funk, reggae and Senegalese percussion while simultaneously nodding to furious dancefloor pacings of the soundsystem continuum. At every turn, Yussef’s distinctive drum licks and Rocco Palladino’s bass are the sturdy anchors; aided by Charlie Stacey/Elijah Fox (keys/synths), Venna (saxophone) and a whole host of honorable features including: Chronixx, Jamilah Barry, Tom Misch, Shabaka Hutchings, Miles James, Sheila Maurice Grey, Nathaniel Cross, Theon Cross and the Chineke! Orchestra, the first professional orchestra in Europe to be made up of majority Black and ethnically diverse musicians.
Game-changing multi-instrumentalist Kamaal Williams is the latest big name to record a mix for DJ-Kicks’ prestigious series. Due for release on November 8th, it features four of his own exclusive tracks, and illuminates some of the influences that spurred him to become such a prominent, vital artist.
Kamaal Williams’ debut full-length as a bandleader bridges two traditions: jazz fusion and UK dance music. Much like the London pianist’s debut album, Black Focus (in the drums-and-keys duo Yussef Kamaal), The Return is rooted in the harmonic intricacies of predecessors like Herbie Hancock and Lonnie Liston Smith. But its inventive rhythms—particularly on the hard-charging “Catch the Loop” and the snapping, deep-in-the-pocket “Broken Theme”—come straight from London’s broken-beat scene, which soulfully exploded drum 'n' bass in the late '90s. By turns lyrical (“Salaam”), elegiac (“The Return”), and driving (“LDN Shuffle”), it’s a heady brew.
One of the worlds most exciting drummers and producers, Yussef Dayes is best known for work with his brothers in United Vibrations and as one half of electrifying duo Yussef Kamaal. Bringing together Rocco Palladino and Charlie Stacey for Yussef Dayes Trio, Welcome to the Hills captures the raw essence of their spellbinding live show. Recorded in Copenhagen in July 2019, the music on Welcome to the Hills was created live at gigs during 2018-2019 and is dedicated to the fans that came out to support them and witness this unreleased body of work in its purest form. Dayes explains; “There was something special about this performance… The raw energy, focus, determination & freedom to take our music to the next level. It feels more right than ever to release this live recording, as there have been no shows this year… So we want to give you, the listener, the chance to participate and enter the Yussef Dayes trio live experience.