Description
Label Review.
2020 album. Jazz. Also available on CD.
Our Overview.
‘Wu Hen’ is the second album from South London’s Kamaal Williams -- an invitation to elevate to a higher state. Cinematic strings that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Scott Walker record from Miguel-Atwood Ferguson and virtuoso saxophone from Quinn Mason are textural additions that make for a deeper, multi-layered experience than previous releases. Also on ‘Wu Hen’ are LA’s Greg Paul on drums (of Kalayst Collective), Rick Leon James on bass, vocals from cult rapper Mach-Hommy and Kaytranada collaborator Lauren Faith.
Williams proclaims “We learnt Jazz in the streets, not in the classroom”, an apt statement since the artist’s core influences include hip hop, grime, UK garage and house, whilst overlapping with 70’s funk, soul and jazz for a fusion he describes as “Wu Funk’’ as affirmed on his recent edition of the legendary DJ Kicks series at the end of 2019. Kamaal rose to prominence with the hugely acclaimed Yussef Kamaal alongside drummer Yussef Dayes and a catalogue of 12”s for imprints such as MCDE, Eglo, and Rhythm Section as Henry Wu that became essential DJ tools. In 2018 he launched Black Focus Records with the Kamaal Williams debut The Return, which charted in the UK and saw sold out shows and festival appearances across Europe, North America and Asia.
Tracklisting: Street Dreams (Feat. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson) / One More Time / 1989 / Toulouse / Pigalle / Big Rick / Save Me (Feat. Mach-Hommy) / Mr.Wu / Hold On (Feat. Lauren Faith) / Early Prayer