New music and scintillating selections from Yussef Kamaal and Sarathy Korwar

Yussef Kamaal and Sarathy Korwar are two exciting acts changing our perception of contemporary jazz music and it’s relation to other modern musical forms. So creative and idiosyncratic are their two respective sounds, that they class alongside names like Shabaka Hutchings, GoGo Penguin, BadBadNotGood and Floating Points, as artists contributing to the changing image of ‘nu-jazz’; bringing electronic elements and multi-rhythmical complexity to the music, incorporating the influence of music that originates from various locations around the globe and blending it in such a way that it creates something fresh and unique.

Korwar’s organic and expansive project Day to Day, released via Ninja Tune earlier this year, incorporates the sounds of Sidi folk music; a music indigenous to India, where Korwar was raised and tutored as a tabla player. Now based in London, he has worked with a host of contemporary jazz names, support Kamasi Washington and honed his technique as a drummer and percussionist. The music on the album has the potential for a dancefloor rework, as Tenderlonious’ remix emphatically proves, but is also wonderfully subtle in it’s incorporation of contemporary jazz styles, electronic textures and sampled artefacts.

Sarathy Korwar joins Yussef Kamaal for a live show at Islington Mill on 10th November. Ahead of the show, he has kindly picked five tasty tracks for us, to give you an insight into what he’s currently enjoying.

Jaimeo Brown Transcendence – Be So Glad

“Love Jaimeo Brown and the way he incorporates field recordings in to his music. Big inspiration.”

The Bad Plus & Joshua Redman – As This Moment Slips Away

“One of my favourite bands, beautiful melodies and the most badass muscians.”

Hal Blaine – Vibrations (August)

“Just discovered this album, drum tings…loving it!”

Solange – Don’t Touch My Hair

“I’ve surprised myself by how much I like this one.”

Bismillah Khan & Kishori Amonkar – Raga Hamir Bahar – Vilambit In Teentaal

“One of my favourite ragas and Bismillah Khan and his troupe are so special.”

Yussef Kamaal, formed by musicians Yussef Dayes and Kamaal Williams (also known as Henry Wu), are soon to release their debut LP Black Focus on Brownswood Recordings. Forming out of a Boiler Room live performance, the pair took the experience further, with a musical approach as indebted to Kaidi Tatham as it is to Thelonious Monk. Yesterday they shared a new track called Lowrider, laden with seductive house pads, compressed drums and some killer bass and guitar work. Their sound is infectiously groovy, with nods to jazz-funk and R&B and a distinctive production aesthetic.

Catch both acts live at Islington Mill on 10th November.