MOBO award-winners Sons of Kemet are described as a rambunctious double-drumming quartet led by saxophonist/clarinettist Shabaka Hutchings, creating a revolutionary mix of jazz, rock, dub and Caribbean folk. Hutchings draws on a motley collection of influences, bringing links to early Caribbean and Rastafarian music, Afrobeat rhythms and funky New Orleans brass into play. This intriguing melting pot is fuelled by the voracious beats of the two drummers Tom Skinner and Eddie Hick, overlaid with Theon Cross’s versatile tuba playing, which lends both bass and melody to the tracks. This is jazz, but perhaps not as you know it. It’s fresh, accessible and loaded with cultural capital…and you will dance. The Guardian said they were “One of the hippest new UK bands… almost certain to dominate the ‘best of’ lists at the end of the year”. The Quietus described them as “Rasta rhythms, Middle-East and West-African melodies and straight-up rock Energy to ignite a dance floor” and BBC 6 Music’s Gilles Peterson said “I strongly urge you to go and see this band live”
Sons of Kemet play a fully standing gig at the RCC on Thursday March 8th.