Kamaal Williams - Wu-Hen

Vinyl format include a download card.

Wu Hen is the sophomore album from South London’s 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.

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''. Affirmed on his recent edition of the legendary DJ Kicks series at the end of 2019.

New players on this record include LA’s Greg Paul on drums (of Kalayst Collective), Rick Leon James on bass, Quinn Mason on saxophone alongside vocal features from cult rapper Mach-Hommy and Kaytranada collaborator Lauren Faith. Brainfeeder aficionado Miguel AtwoodFerguson, who has frequently worked with Flying Lotus contributes his signature strings that add vivid colours and wouldn't sound out of place on a Scott Walker record.

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.

Genre: Electronic, Jazz
Style: Jazz-Funk, Contemporary Jazz, Broken Beat