Sons of Kemet

Sons of Kemet is the brainchild of young reeds player and BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist Shabaka Hutchings, whose ambition for this ensemble was to assemble the most unlikeliest of line-ups and allow them free rein for their distinct musical personalities to shine through. The resultant music is loud, earthy, vital, and refreshingly rough-edged at times but surprisingly danceable; the two drummers spur off each others’ energies and the tuba occupies a variety of roles from breathless walking bass to subtle, overdubbed layers of sound. Shabaka’s plaintive tone and uncluttered compositions frame the sound.