Whether re-defining experimental fusion sounds 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’ is a natural evolution from the Yussef Kamaal project, mining the influence of visionary jazz but blended with all kinds of texture, sounds and signals from the oversaturated London streets.

At times the keyboard work evokes the classic 70s fusion work of Lonnie Liston Smith or Roy Ayers but underpinned by rhythms more reminiscent of blunted hip hop and arrangements subliminally laced with the cut-ups of pirate radio. Progressive, funky, cosmic, exploratory and effortlessly musical, this is the sound of a musician honing their craft into thrilling new shapes.

In the US the likes of Kamasi Washington and Thundercat have made great strides in opening a whole new dialogue between jazz and hip hop, drawing in a young, highly engaged new audience in the process. Kamaal Williams mine a similar seam on the other side of the Atlantic alongside other exciting London talents such as Ezra Collective, Ruby Rushton and Shabaka Hutchings.

‘The Return’ is exactly that: a return and refinement to the sound Yussef Kamaal were progenitors of and first set the scene for one of the most exciting musical movements London has had in years. ? Notable tracks for old and new listeners are ‘Slow’, ‘Situations’, ‘Medina’, ‘London Shuffle’ which features Mansur Brown (of Mansur’s Message) and for those die hard Yussef Kamaal fans – they should hear the interpolated roots of ‘Strings Of Light’ in title track ‘The Return’. And that signature Wu Funk can be heard on ‘Broken Theme’ and ‘High Roller’.

‘The Return’ is the debut album to be released on Wu’s new label Black Focus Records.

180g heavyweight black vinyl with digital download card.

Also available to independent retailers on 180g white vinyl.