London duo Yussef Kamaal‘s “Black Focus” (from the new album of the same name) is a throwback to 1970s experimental jazz. Drummer Yussef Dayes and keyboardist/drummer Kamaal Williams (aka Henry Wu) capture a swanky mood with only a bass, some drums, and a Rhodes piano, evoking nothing but a mellow, feel good vibe.
“It’s all about the drums and the keys,” Williams told Wax Poetics. “Not to take anything from anyone else, but that’s where it all originates from: the chords, the rhythm of the chords and the drums.”
“It’s not so much about complete arrangement, it’s more about flow,” Dayes added. “A lot of the tracks are just made spontaneously—Henry will be playing two chords, I’ll fill in the groove and we’ll just leave the arrangement naturally.”
Black Focus was released November 4 and can be purchased here.
