Coming October 8, 2021 pre-order your copy today! Orders with both pre-order and in stock items will have all in stock items shipped immediately!
Follow-Up To Grammy Nominated Debut On Limited Edition Pink Vinyl LP!
With Special Guests Vernon Reid, Brittany Howard, Kokayi, Joel Ross & More!
Kinfolk 2: See The Birds is the highly anticipated follow-up to drummer, composer, and bandleader Nate Smith's 2017 Grammy-nominated album Kinfolk: Postcards From Everywhere.
Featuring the diverse and all-star talents of Brittany Howard, Amma Whatt, Joel Ross, Kokayi, Michael Mayo, Regina Carter, Stokley and Vernon Reid, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds is the inspired and emphatic album that exemplifies Nate's artistry as one of the most exciting, dynamic and innovative drummer-composers of his generation, adept across multi-genres and styles. Taking inspiration from his teenage years spent absorbing the diverse and eclectic riches of Prince, Michael Jackson and Living Colour, Kinfolk 2: See The Birds is a multi-faceted jewel and is set to be one of the most significant albums of 2021.
Smith sees Kinfolk as a trilogy that charts his evolution as musician. The first record touched upon his childhood in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the music that he absorbed in his home. Kinfolk 2 continues that narrative, offering an impressionistic portrait of his teenage years when he made the decision to become a musician. During this time, he was checking out a lot of music associated with the Black Rock Coalition such as Living Colour, Fishbone, and 24-7 Spyz, in addition to other pioneering acts such as Bad Brains, King's X, Prince, and Sting. Smith was also listening to a lot of hip-hop as well as the emerging neo-soul that flowered in the 1990s.
Kinfolk 2 is no throwback album, however. Smith reconciles his influences from his teen years with the modern jazz sensibilities that he's demonstrated with not just his solo material but as a sideman with a roster of jazz titans that includes guitarist Pat Metheny, bassist Dave Holland, and saxophonists Ravi Coltrane and Chris Potter.
In fact, Smith cites his long tenure with Potter's Underground band for being an incubator for him to develop his distinguishable drumming approach, which often combines crisp, funky, head-nodding grooves with flinty modern jazz interactive improvisation.
Kinfolk 2: See The Birds affirms Nate Smith as one of the most dynamic drummers, insightful composers, and engaging bandleaders of his generation, adept across infinite genres and multiple styles.
...his drumming is a marvel unto itself. Humid and broad of palette, it has the rare ability to dial up the complexity and the sensitivity at the same time.
Features
- Limited Edition
- Pink Vinyl
Musicians
Nate Smith | drums, keyboards, percussion |
---|---|
Brad Allen Williams | guitar |
Fima Ephron | bass |
Jaleel Shaw | saxophone |
Jon Cowherd | piano, rhodes, Hammond B-3 organ |
Brittany Howard | vocals on "Fly (For Mike)" |
Amma Whatt | vocals on "I Burn For You" |
Joel Ross | vibraphone on "Altitude" "See The Birds" |
Kokayi | vocals on "Square Wheel" & "Band Room Freestyle" |
Michael Mayo | vocals on "Square Wheel", "Altitude" & "See The Birds" |
Regina Carter | violin on "Collision" |
Stokley | vocals on "Don't Let Me Get Away" |
Vernon Reid | guitar on "Rambo: The Vigilante" |
Selections
- Altitude ft. Joel Ross & Michael Mayo
- Street Lamp
- Don't Let Me Get Away ft. Stokley
- Meditation: Prelude
- I Burn For You ft. Amma Whatt
- Square Wheel ft. Kokayi & Michael Mayo
- Band Room Freestyle ft. Kokayi
- Collision ft. Regina Carter
- Rambo: The Vigilante ft. Vernon Reid
- See The Birds ft. Joel Ross & Michael Mayo
- Fly (For Mike) ft. Brittany Howard