kamaal williams: nights in paris / kamaal vs. wu-tang (snips re-edits)
Francisco Espregueira
Kamaal Williams (a.k.a. Henry Wu) has been one of the most influential artists in the movement that flows from the South of London. Last May he released the fantastic The Return, a vast ten-track recording of ‘70s-inspired funk-fusion, electronic bounce, straight-ahead jazz, and atmospheric keyboard solos. Yesterday two new projects came out: Nights in Paris and Kamaal vs. Wu-Tang - a mix of The Return’s tracks with Wu-Tang Clan classics made by the prominent british DJ Snips.
Nights In Paris is a three-track live take in which we hear Kamaal’s trio playing around the structures in which The Return was built. With changes of pace on the drums and of tones in the keys. Kamaal is a lucky maestro joined by musicians that understand the tempos, creating over them. Keys, bass and drums and infinite groove. Available on digital format.
Prominent UK DJ Snips picked up the essence of The Return and flipped it over, introducing the flow of the legendary hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The album was completely re-imagined, revamped while keeping its jazz-funk spirit. Songs like “C.R.E.A.M.”, “Labels” or “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” met new samples, new paces. The result is very interesting, maybe lifting up the veil on new sample ideas for hip hop producers, just like one time some found theirs on the best jazz made before. Kamaal vs. Wu-Tang (Snips Re-Edits) is available for free!