Kamaal Williams

Kamaal Williams (born Henry Wu, 1989) is a British musician and record producer. Williams rose to prominence alongside drummer Yussef Dayes in 2016 as one half of the short-lived London-based jazz group Yussef Kamaal following the release of the duo's debut album, Black Focus, which earned them the 'Breakthrough Act' award at the 2017 Jazz FM awards.[2] He released two solo albums under his record label Black Focus, including The Return (2018) and Wu Hen (2020). In addition to live instrumentation, Williams also releases electronic music under his given name Henry Wu.

Kamaal Williams
Birth nameHenry Wu
Born1989 (age 31–32)[1]
OriginPeckham, London, United Kingdom
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, producer
Instruments
  • Piano
  • keyboard
  • synthesizer
  • drums
Years active2008–present
Labels
Associated acts
  • Yussef Kamaal
Websitekamaalwilliams.bandcamp.com

Early life

Williams was born as Henry Wu[3] in Peckham, South London to a Taiwanese mother and British father.[4] Growing up, Williams took an interest in learning Mandarin and Chinese calligraphy.[4] From an early age, Williams was involved with a number of creative pursuits. His interest in calligraphy, as well as his parents' involvement with graphic design, contributed to an interest in street art and graffiti culture, an influence which is reflected in the album art of later projects such as Black Focus and The Return.[4]

Williams took an early interest in music. In primary school, he learnt drums and percussion[5] which he played in the school band.[4] It was during this time that Williams cultivated a formative grounding in jazz, funk and house music. His father introduced him to jazz with songs by Miles Davis and John Coltrane.[4] Alongside an interest in jazz, Williams also developed a taste for garage and grime music, citing the 2001 release Execute by fellow South Londoners Oxide & Neutrino as a major influence.

Career

After attending high school, Williams attended the Bermondsey Centre of Southwark College, where he studied music production and learned to play the keyboard.[4][5] Around this time, Williams began gigging regularly around London, eventually landing a place in the band of Katy B alongside drummer Joshua McKenzie.[6] In 2008, Williams put on a show with the then fourteen-year-old drummer Yussef Dayes,[7] with whom he would later form Yussef Kamaal. Williams remained with Katy B for two years before leaving the band to focus on his own music.

From 2012 onward, Williams released a number of short, broken-beat and house releases under the name Henry Wu, including 2014's Natural Complexion, which featured former bandmate and fellow London musician, Ed 'Tenderlonious' Cawthorne.[8] In 2013, Williams assisted Cawthorne in establishing 22a, a London-based, artist run record label.[6] Amidst this period, Williams almost quit music. In 2012, he sold what he approximates to be 80% of his musical equipment, citing "disillusionment" as the main contributing factor.[5]

Yussef Kamaal

In 2016, Williams recruited both Dayes and Cawthorne to perform at the 2016 Worldwide Awards hosted by London DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson.[4] Williams and Dayes were subsequently signed to Peterson's independent label, Brownswood Recordings.[4]

The duo released their debut album, Black Focus, under the name Yussef Kamaal in November 2016. The album was met with critical acclaim. Clash Music described the sound as "exceptional, vital" and "enthralling";[9] whilst Canadian magazine Exclaim! described it simply as "dope".[10] The album was widely praised for its unique blend of sounds traditionally associated with jazz, hip hop and breakbeat music.[10][11] Williams revealed that large amounts of the album were improvised in the studio, and emphasised the importance of musical dialogue between the musicians in structuring the performances.[12][13] The album was engineered by Malcolm Catto of The Heliocentrics and recorded at his studio in London.[12][14] Williams praised his "old school" approach to recording and crediting him with mixing two of the tracks on the album.[12]

Williams and Dayes collaborated for a brief and tumultuous period following the album's release. Shortly before embarking on a tour of the United States, the band were refused entry to the country after Dayes' visa was revoked in accordance with an executive immigration order implemented by the Trump Administration.[15] Several weeks later, the duo announced their split.[2] Williams has since been reticent regarding the incident, but has maintained that he continues to admire and support Dayes in his solo ventures.[7] On his split with Dayes, Williams commented: "Nothing has really ended; it travelled into something new and fresh now."[16]

The Return and Black Focus Records

In the years following, Williams established his own label, Black Focus Records.[4] Less than two years after the release of Black Focus, Williams enlisted the services of former bandmate and drummer Josh 'MckNasty' McKenzie and bassist Pete Martin to produce his solo bandleader debut, The Return. The album was recorded in the South London house Williams grew up in.[17] The album was recorded over the course of a week. Recording engineer Richard Samuels remarked that, despite having the opportunity to record in professional studios, the performance of the musicians in a familiar and comfortable environment was conducive to a "free flowing album".[17]

The Return was received as a "sequel" to Black Focus[18] and charted in the UK at number 63.[19] The album holds an aggregated score of 76 on Metacritic, indicating "generally favourable" reviews.[20] The album was praised for its blend of genres, a sound Williams has called "a London thing".[18] Pitchfork praised the album for its sonic palette, and offered light criticism with respect to the brevity of some of the tracks.[21] The album peaked at sixty-three on the UK charts.[22] The release of The Return prompted Williams' first global tour, spanning across the UK, Europe, Australian and New Zealand, with former bandmate Mansur Brown as support.[23] Brown would also be the second artist under Black Focus Records.[24] The staff of Mixmag ranked Black Focus Records as number one in its list of the Best Record Labels of 2018.[25]

The album was supported by the release of a music video for Salaam, the album's opening track.[26] The video was directed by Greg Barnes and was shot in Marrakesh, Morocco,[26] which according to Williams, "is a special place for me, [going there is] a huge inspiration for my work." Williams dedicated the album to the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire of 2017.[27]

Following the album's release, The Return was remixed by Snips with vocal samples from the Wu-Tang Clan.[28][29]

The Return was nominated for 'Independent Album of the Year' at the 2018 AIM Independent Music Awards.[30]

Williams released a music video for the song "New Heights (Visions of Aisha Malik)" in 2019. It was also directed by Barnes and Its visuals take inspiration from Martial Arts.[31]

In 2020, Williams released his second album Wu Hen.

Career as Henry Wu

Williams hosts a monthly radio show on NTS Radio as Henry Wu, playing a selection of music from his influences and associated acts in the London scene.[32]

In 2015, Williams collaborated with fellow London based producer, K15, to produce an EP entitled WU15.[16]

Musical style

Williams has emphasised the importance of rhythm in his music. Having previously been a drummer, Williams aims to bring a percussive approach to the keyboard.[16] He was initially influenced in producing hip hop in the style of 90s boom bap.[12]

Williams' sound on Black Focus and The Return has been called a blend of several genres, among them jazz, funk, hip hop, grime, garage and broken beat.[33]

Despite citing influences such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock, Williams has frequently rejected the term 'jazz' being applied to his music, rejecting the "elitist" and traditionalist connotations it evokes.[4][7] He has instead opted to create music under the eponymous genre of 'Wu funk'.[34] Piotor Orlov of NPR said that "[Williams'] 'jazz' is grounded in post-Mwandishi Herbie Hancock, Bob James' "Nautilus" and J Dilla productions."[6] Williams has also listed Jamiroquai, Roy Ayers and Donald Byrd as influences.[4] Williams has frequently stressed the influence that his home city, London, has had on his music. Speaking on The Return, Williams emphasised the fact that the album represents all of London, in that the various contributors came from a diverse cross-section of the city's areas.[3]

When playing live, Williams said that he with his own band "completely improvise with the base of the song. On the night we don’t know how it’s going to sound. Spontaneous and loose in the structure, it allows us to express ourselves. We just let it roll out."[3] When Williams performed with Dayes in Yussef Kamaal, Jochan Embley wrote in a 2017 gig review that "When you see the south London duo play together, with that preternatural ability to predict and effortlessly follow whichever direction the other is about to fly off into, you’d think they had been playing together for a lifetime."[35]

Instruments

On his album The Return, Williams has used a Nord Electro keyboard, a Roland Juno 106 and a Wurlitzer piano.[34]

Personal life

Williams adopted the name Kamaal upon converting to Islam in 2011.[6] According to a 2018 interview, Williams said that religion has played a key role in his career, reminding him to remain humble and grateful in the face of success.[7] The doctrinal principles of Islam are the "foundations" of Williams' beliefs, and, according to the artist, "translate into his music".[5] In a 2018 interview, Williams said on the topic of changing his name: "...as a creative it just allows you to express yourself in a different way. Henry Wu is my ethnic background, and Kamaal is my spiritual background."[3] In another interview with The Indian Express, Williams stated: "Kamaal Williams is more like a conceptual band, and Henry Wu is the DJ, the producer, the mastermind".[36]

Speaking of public recognition, Williams said that "being in the limelight is something that I’m very conscious of." Further stating: "I’m just in this for the music and to provide my family.”[5]

Discography

As Henry Wu
  • Stir Fry Beats (2012)
  • Natural Complexion (2014)
  • Negotiate EP (2015)
  • Good Morning Peckham (2015)
  • ££ CRUCIAL WU ££ (2015)
  • 27 Karat Years (2016)
  • Deep in the Mud (2017)
  • Shades of Wu (2017)
  • Projections EP (2018)

With Yussef Kamaal

As Kamaal Williams

WU15
  • WU15 (2015)

References
  1. "Wu Hen by Kamaal Williams on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  2. "Yussef Kamaal confirm split". Jazz FM. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  3. "KAMAAL WILLIAMS — Ala Champ". Ala Champ. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  4. "Kamaal Williams And 'The Return' Of Acid Jazz". Vinyl Me Please. 25 May 2018. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  5. "Henry Wu: A Day In The Life". Boiler Room. 9 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  6. "Kamaal Williams' 'The Return' Is An Elastic And Funky Debut". Npr.org. Archived from the original on 15 December 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  7. "Meet one of the UK jazz scene's brightest stars, Henry Wu". Redbull.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  8. "Henry Wu". Open.spotify.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  9. "Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus". Clash Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  10. "Yussef Kamaal Black Focus". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  11. "Review: Yussef Kamaal - Black Focus". Theransomnote.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  12. ""Jazz Is About A Representation Of The Time": An Interview With Yussef Kamaal". Passion of the Weiss. 3 November 2016. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  13. "Yussef Kamaal are breathing new life into old jazz". Red Bull. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  14. "Knowledge Arena: Yussef Kamaal - Dimensions Festival 2016 - Video Dailymotion". Dailymotion.com. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 24 March 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  15. "Yussef Kamaal and United Vibrations barred from entering America". Jazz FM. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  16. "Behind the scenes with the Kamaal Williams Ensemble – Madrid, Fundación Teléfonica, May 2017". World is Music. 12 June 2017. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  17. "Focusrite // Recording Kamaal Williams with the Clarett 8Pre". YouTube. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  18. "Kamaal Williams: The Return Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  19. "Kamaal Williams | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  20. "The Return by Kamaal Williams". Metacritic.com. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  21. "Kamaal Williams: The Return Album Review | Pitchfork". Pitchfork.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  22. "the return | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  23. "Kamaal Williams announces debut Australian tour". Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  24. Appouh, Michael. "Mansur Brown". The Quietus. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  25. "The Best Record Labels Of 2018". Mixmag. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  26. "Kamaal Williams Presents New Video for 'Salaam'". XLR8R. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  27. "Kamaal Williams – The Return (Black Focus)". Cyclic Defrost. 30 June 2018. Archived from the original on 29 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  28. Yeung, Vivian (11 September 2018). "Kamaal Williams drops Wu-Tang Clan edit of debut album 'The Return'". Crack Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  29. Cantor, Dave. "Kamaal Williams finds the essence of groove in jazz". Chicago Reader. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  30. "AIM Independent Music Awards 2018 nominations announced - ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC". ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC. 8 August 2018. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  31. Kent-Smith, Jasmine (9 March 2019). "Kamaal Williams mixes music with martial arts in new video". Mixmag. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  32. Radio, NTS. "Black Focus w/ Henry Wu". NTS Radio. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  33. "Album Review: Kamaal Williams – The Return [Black Focus Records; May 2018] | Rhythm Passport". Rhythm Passport. 12 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  34. Spice, Anton (20 June 2018). "Watch our new film in the studio Kamaal Williams: The Keys of Wu". The Vinyl Factory. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  35. Embley, Jochan. "Yussef Kamaal bring the rhythm to north London". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  36. Majumdar, Anushree (9 December 2018). "Meet the British-Chinese Muslim man from south London reinventing jazz". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  37. Ruiz, Matthew Ismael. "Kamaal Williams Announces New Album, Shares New Song "One More Time"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
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