Kamaal

Wu Hen is the sophomore album from Peckham visionary Kamaal Williams an invitation to elevate to a higher state. Cinematic strings from Miguel-Atwood Ferguson and virtuoso saxophone from Quinn Mason are textural additions that make for a deeper, multi-layered experience than previous releases. Bringing groove back to the forefront, Wu Hen oscillates between celestial jazz, funk, rap and r&b reinforced with the rugged beat-heavy attitude of grime, jungle, house and garage – a self-styled fusion Kamaal describes as Wu Funk.

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.

Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus (2016) {Brownswood Recordings BWOOD0157CD}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 260 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 104 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 73 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2016 Brownswood Recordings | BWOOD0157CD
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Soul Jazz / Broken Beat / Jazz Funk / Electro Jazz

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.