Anticipation is building for the release of the debut album from Kamaal Williams AKA Henry Wu at the end of May. The jazz fusion artist and DJ from South London has described The Return as a ‘natural evolution’ from his Yussef Kamaal project and will drop the LP on his new label Black Focus Records.
Whether re-defining experimental fusion with the hugely acclaimed Yussef Kamaal, or his catalogue of 12”s for imprints such as MCDE, Eglo and Rhythm Section as Henry Wu, South London’s Kamaal Williams has been a key figure in his thriving international scene for the past few years.
The Return sees elements of pirate radio cut-ups and blunted hiphop arrangements run alongside funky keyboard motifs akin to 70s fusion innovators Lonnie Liston Smith and Roy Ayers as Williams blends visionary jazz with a variety of roots, sounds and influences from the over-saturated streets of London. Progressive and funky, cosmic and exploratory, it represents not just the sound of an artist honing his craft into exciting new forms, but speaks of a musician following in the footsteps of his counterparts across the pond – the likes of Kamasi Washington and Thundercat – who are opening up a whole new dialogue between jazz and hip-hop, drawing in a young, highly-engaged new audience in the process.
Notable tracks for old and new listeners are Salaam, Situations, Medina and London Shuffle, which features Mansur Brown (of Mansur’s Message). Die-hard Yussef Kamaal fans should cop the interpolated roots of ‘Strings of Light’ in title-track The Return, whilst that signature Wu Funk can be heard on Broken Theme, and High Roller.
Musicians:
Kamaal Williams – Keys
Pete Martin – Bass
MckNasty – Drums
Richard Samuels – Engineer
Tour dates:
22 March – Village Underground, London, UK
23 March – The Lantern, Bristol, UK
26 March – Reineke Fuchs, Cologne, DE
28 March – New Morning, Paris, FR
29 March – Het Bos, Antwerp, BE
30 March – Bitterzoet, Amsterdam, NL
1st April – Albert Hall, Manchester, UK
The Return will be released on Black Focus Records on May 25th. You can pre-order the album here.
Photo by Salem Wazaki