Shabaka Hutchings, formerly of Sons of Kemet and The Comet Is Coming, now a solo force under his mononymous banner, is ready to unveil “Of the Earth,” the debut release on his new imprint, Shabaka Records, per pitchfork.com. Due out on March 6, the album draws inspiration from D’Angelo’s Brown Sugar. Two tracks from the project, “A Future Untold” and “Marwa the Mountain,” are now streaming on digital platforms.
Shabaka kicks off a US tour soon, hitting Solar Myth in Philadelphia (March 25), New York’s Knockdown Center (March 26) and Tennessee’s Big Ears festival, where he’ll deliver a solo set plus a collaboration with Thurston Moore.
In a press release, Shabaka reflects on his influences and evolution from clarinet and saxophone-pivotal on 2024’s *Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace*-to flute and self-production. “Brown Sugar was the first CD I bought,” he says. “It sparked a curiosity about the emotional possibilities of the self-produced album. This record celebrates freedom in creative self-expression. Pre-pandemic, I only played clarinet and sax, knew nothing of production or flute. It’s been a journey of learning.”
Following Perceive Its Beauty came the late-2024 EP Possession.
•Featured image: Shabaka/Joseph Ouechen
